3 Reds killed in encounters

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Three insurgents, including a New People’s Army (NPA) commander, were killed and five others were captured in separate clashes in Zamboanga del Norte and Compostela Valley last week, the military said.

Six government troopers though were wounded in the encounters, according to reports reaching the Armed Forces Southern Command here.

The NPA commander, identified as Sulade Utol, was killed in an encounter in Labason, Zamboanga del Norte last Wednesday.

Meanwhile, intelligence operatives arrested Julian Balendres, a political officer of the NPA’s Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee, in Zamboanga del Sur.

Clashes also erupted in Monkayo, Compostela Valley, which left four soldiers wounded, and in San Fernando, Bukidnon, where two rebels were slain and two others were captured. Two soldiers were wounded in Bukidnon. — Lino de la Cruz, Roel Pareño