Army officer killed in clash with NPAs in Samar

CATBALOGAN CITY, Philippines – Government troops have launched pursuit operations against suspected communist rebels who killed an Army second lieutenant in an encounter in Las Navas, Northern Samar on Monday.

Raphael Vicente Cubillan, a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 2014, died from a gunshot to the chest, Maj. Amado Gutierrez, spokesman for the 8th Infantry Division, said yesterday.

Gutierrez said Cubillan was the leader of a platoon of the 34th Infantry Battalion (IB) that clashed with the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Barangay Imelda around 9 a.m.

 “My men were conducting peace and security patrol when the rebels fired at them,” said Lt. Col. Edgar delos Reyes, commander of the 34th IB.

The soldiers captured two unidentified NPA rebels who were left behind by their comrades.