NPA leader in Camarines Sur killed in clash

MANILA, Philippines - A ranking member of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed Thursday in a clash with Army troops in Del Gallego, Camarines Sur, the military said.

Capt. Mardjorie Panesa, public affairs officer of the Army’s 9th division, said the encounter occurred in Barangay Sinuknipan in Del Gallego town at around 4:30 a.m.

The clash lasted for about five minutes and left an NPA commander identified as Rene Rabulan Briones dead.

Briones, who used the aliases “Al,” “Singkit” and “Arjun,” is reportedly the commander of the Regional Operations Command of the Bicol Regional Party. He was identified through a driver’s license recovered by soldiers.

Also recovered from the encounter site were a Cal. 45 pistol, a shotgun, two laptop computers, two back packs and seven mobile phones.

“May this incident send a message to the exploited NPA members who are still hiding in the mountain. Fighting the government with the use of violence that brings destruction to human lives and properties is not the right and moral thing to do,” said Lt. Col. Medel Aguilar, spokesman of the Army’s 9th division.
 
“They could serve their countrymen better if they will resort to peaceful means of effecting reforms in the society,” he added.