16 rebels killed in encounters

Manila, Philippines - A total of 16 suspected communist rebels were killed in separate encounters with security forces in Nueva Ecija, Cagayan, Albay and Misamis Occidental in the past two days, the military said yesterday.

Col. Felicito Trinidad, commander of the Army’s 702nd Infantry Brigade, said military and police personnel killed eight suspected robbers in a clash in Barangay Poblacion West in Rizal, Nueva Ecija yesterday morning.

The eight were believed to be members of the communist splinter group Hukbong Mapagpalaya ng Bayan (HMB). There were no reported casualties on the military side.

Trinidad cited initial intelligence reports that the HMB group planned to rob a vehicle with the payroll of an Aurora-based firm. 

Two New People’s Army members believed to be involved in extortion activities were killed in an encounter with state troops in Jovellar, Albay yesterday.

Also yesterday, an NPA rebel was killed and two soldiers were wounded in a clash in Barangay Maba in Lopez Jaena, Misamis Occidental.

Meanwhile, five NPA guerrillas were slain and four others were captured in an encounter with police authorities in Cagayan province last Thursday. – Alexis Romero, Charlie Lagasca, Raymund Catindig, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Manny Galvez, Juancho Mahusay