2 more rebels dead in Roxas town clash

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines – Pursuing Army combatants shot dead in a running firefight late Tuesday two communist rebels that belong to the group that raided the police precinct of President Roxas town before dawn the same day.

Lt. Col. Nilo Vinluan, commanding officer of the Army’s 57th Infantry Battalion, said the two members of the New People’s Army were killed in an encounter with soldiers in Barangay Bagumbayan in Magpet town near President Roxas.

The rebels were on their way to the hinterland border of North Cotabato and Bukidnon when they encountered the soldiers scouring the area in Barangay Bagumbayan.

Vinluan said the rebels were seen carrying companions who were wounded when they tried to take over the municipal hall of President Roxas.

Policemen guarding the adjoining town hall and the police precinct inside the President Roxas municipal government compound prevented the NPAs from intruding, killing three of the rebels.

The clash also left the police chief of President Roxas,  Senior Inspector Bernabe Rubio, slightly wounded.