NPA killed in ComVal encounter

MANILA, Philippines - A New People’s Army (NPA) guerilla was killed while his comrade was captured following an encounter with government forces in Laak, Compostela Valley province on Friday.

The fighting broke out when troops from the 60th Infantry Battalion responded to reports that the rebels set up a roadblock in Barangay Lunganapan apparently to conduct kidnapping and extortion operations.

Lt. Col. Llewellyn Binasoy said after almost half an hour of intense fighting, the rebels retreated leaving their dead comrade.

The troops pursued the rebels and the firefight continued until Friday afternoon.

“One rebel was killed as a result of the fighting while one minor red fighter was captured when he injured himself after jumping into a cliff with his AK-47 in Sitio Buayahon, Barangay San Antonio,” Binasoy said.

He said the troops recovered an M16 rifle with an attached  203 grenade launcher, an AK-47 automatic rifle and one Icom radio from the slain and captured rebels.

The Compostela Valley-based rebels have been responsible in the series of kidnappings in the province since before the May elections.