NPA rebel slain in Davao clash

MANILA, Philippines - A communist rebel was killed in an encounter with Army troops in Caraga, Davao Oriental yesterday.

Lt. Col. Reuben Basiao, commander of the 7th Infantry Battalion, said the clash transpired in Sitio Logdeck, Barangay Caningag in Caraga town at around 8:30 a.m.

Basiao said that prior to the clash, they had received reports about rebels who allegedly forced civilians to attend the meetings they organized.

“I sent a platoon of soldiers belonging to the 6th Scout Ranger Company together with a platoon from my battalion to check the information provided by the civilians. The clash erupted when the rebels started firing as my soldiers approached the reported location,” Basiao said in a statement.

The firefight, which lasted for about an hour, left one rebel dead. The Army claimed that some of the rebels who escaped after the clash were wounded. No one was injured among the soldiers.

Army spokesman Maj. Harold Cabunoc said the soldiers recovered two M16 rifles and four improvised bombs in the encounter site.