NPA hit squad head slain

LEGAZPI CITY – The head of the liquidation squad of the New People’s Army in Albay was killed in an encounter with Army troopers in Ligao City, Albay the other day, the military said.

Col. Nur Ascalani, commander of the Army’s 9th Infantry Brigade based in Daraga town, said the death of Elmer Arevalo, head of the Provincial Yunit Guerrilla, is a "big loss" to the Albay rebels who he claimed are campaigning for left-leaning party-list group Anakpawis.

Arevalo, together with 15 other guerrillas, clashed with the men of the 65th Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. Leoncio Sirunay who were conducting a combat operation in Barangay Tastas, Ligao City last Tuesday afternoon. – Celso Amo