3 rebels killed in Cavite clash

MARAGONDON, Cavite — Air force troops clashed with about 20 suspected communist guerrillas who were sleeping on a farm in this coastal town early yesterday. Three of the rebels were killed, the military said.

An unarmed man, believed to be a supporter of the New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas, was wounded during the fierce firefight before dawn, Air Force spokesman Lt. Col. Restituto Padilla said.

Soldiers, backed by two helicopter gunships, scattered the rebels, some of whom were believed wounded because of bloodstains found on mud trails where they withdrew, Padilla said.

Last Saturday, an NPA band swooped down on a police outpost in Dipaculao, Aurora, killing two policemen.

Superintendent Elmer Macapagal, of the Aurora police, said the slain lawmen — PO3 Roberto Bautista and SPO1 Castor Gomez — fought it out with the rebels but they were outnumbered. — Rene Alviar, Christina Mendez