NPA killed, 3 hurt in Masbate encounter

LEGAZPI CITY ,Philippines  – One New People’s Army rebel was killed while three others were wounded when Army soldiers taking advantage of the inclement weather assaulted a rebel encampment in Aroroy, Masbate Sunday morning, the Army said yesterday.

Major Angelo Guzman, spokeperson of the 9th Infantry Division, said elements from the 9th Infantry Batallion led by an officer and 17 enlisted personnel assaulted the Kilusan sa Platon in Barangay Manamoc at about 10:35 a.m.

Guzman said some 15 communist rebels were inside the camp triggering a 10-minute firefight, forcing the rebels to retreat while dragging behind their three wounded comrades.

Nobody was wounded on the government side while a body of the slain rebel was recovered.

The combat operation was conducted after NPA rebels detonated a landmine on May 5 when an Army vehicle was negotiating a zigzag road in Barangay Mr. Espinosa in Milagros town in Masbate that resulted in the wounding of Pfc Joseph Peñaranda, Pfc Glen Manlo and Pvt Erick Dumalagan.

The body of the slain rebel was brought to Aroroy town for identification.

Guzman said a Canadian firm CGA Mining Ltd. is operating in Aroroy town and is the target of NPA extortion.