Suspected NPA leader killed in Compostela encounter

MANILA, Philippines – A communist rebel believed to be a leader of a local unit of the New People’s Army was killed in a clash with state troops in Compostela Valley on Wednesday, the military said.

The Army’s 10th Infantry Division spokesman Capt. Emmanuel Garcia said elements of the 66th Infantry Battalion were conducting patrols when they encountered around 20 insurgents in the village of Tandawan in New Bataan town.

The security patrols were conducted after the Army received complaints from residents about the supposed extortion activities of the rebels in the area.

The clash started at around 4 p.m. and lasted for 30 minutes. After the encounter, the military recovered an M653 Assault Rifle in the possession of a dead NPA member who was left behind by his comrades.

Authorities are still determining the identity of the slain rebel. They, however, believe that the slain insurgent is a leader of a local communist front.

“The dead NPA might be one of their leaders as M653 Assault Rifles are not commonly handled by ordinary combatants. The cadaver will be brought to New Bataan proper to be identified by relatives so that he may be given appropriate burial,” said 66th IB commander Col. Roberto Ancan in a statement.

Maj. Gen. Carlos Holganza, commander of the 10th Infantry Division, assured that security operations will be conducted to foil attempts by the NPA to harass or intimidate the residents.