5 Reds killed in clashes

LEGAZPI CITY (AFP) – Five communist guerrillas were killed in separate clashes with government forces, police and Army reports said yesterday.

Three New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in an encounter with a police patrol in Catanduanes, a police report said. A policeman was also wounded.

Also on Wednesday, the security guards of a mayor fought off an NPA ambush in the Albay town of Pio Duran, killing one of the attackers.

Police said Mayor Dante Arandia stayed behind after being tipped off that the NPA planned to ambush him that day.

Meanwhile, a military patrol shot and killed an NPA guerrilla near the Samar town of Silvino Lobos last Tuesday, an Army statement said.