NPA rebel slain in Cagayan clash

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – A suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerrilla was killed in an encounter with Army troops in a Cagayan town yesterday.

The clash occurred as authorities were on a heightened alert for possible attacks by communist insurgents, as part of the armed group’s celebration of its 45th founding anniversary.

Reports identified the alleged rebel as Ronald Beran, 42, of Barangay Masi, Rizal town, where the encounter took place.

The soldiers were conducting patrol operations at the area when at least 10 armed men fired at them, triggering the firefight.

No one was hurt from the government forces led by a certain 2/Lt. Ranola of the Isabela-based Army’s 5th Infantry Division.

The encounter came a day after some 20 armed men believed to be communist guerrillas stormed a property of a former village chairman in Cabisera 2 Hacienda San Antonio in Ilagan City.

Isabela police director Senior Superintendent Sotero Ramos said the group, including two NPA amazons, entered the compound of Reynaldo Edrada, whose son-in-law, John Sales, was an incumbent councilman. 

The armed men reportedly distributed letters demanding taxes from local grain traders.

Edrada and Sales were not home during the incident.