Soldier, 3 NPA rebels die in clash

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines – A soldier and three New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed while two other soldiers were wounded in an encounter in Magpet, North Cotabato on Monday.

The identity of the soldier was withheld pending notification of his family members.

Soldiers belonging to the 39th Infantry Battalion were pursuing NPA rebels who raided Barangay Mahongcog on Sunday when they clashed with members of the Guerilla Front 53 led by Joel Pulido in Barangay Balite, Senior Superintendent Emmanuel Peralta, North Cotabato police director, said yesterday.

Peralta said about a hundred families were displaced and evacuated to Barangays Katindu and Anuling in Arakan town.

Evacuees said the fleeing NPA rebels carried at least four of their wounded comrades.