Soldier killed in clash with NPAs in Agusan

MANILA, Philippines -  A soldier was killed yesterday in an encounter with suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Sibagat, Agusan del Sur, the military said.

Col. Leopoldo Galon, spokesman of the Armed Forces’ Eastern Mindanao Command, said members of the 26th Infantry Battalion clashed with seven armed men in Barangay Magkalape, Sibagat town at around 5:50 a.m. yesterday.

The five-minute firefight resulted in the death of Army S/Sgt. Gomersindo Babanto, who sustained a bullet wound in the chest. His remains were airlifted to Butuan City.

In a related development, a female NPA leader facing various criminal cases was nabbed by soldiers last Saturday in Lopez, Quezon.

The military said NPA leader Miguela Piñero had four warrants of arrest for murder, frustrated murder, malicious mischief, and robbery.

Army troops seized from her a caliber .45 pistol with magazine, seven bullets, a grenade and four mobile phones.

Piñero is reportedly the commander of the Operations Command of the NPA’s Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee.

In Sallapadan, Abra, three NPA rebels were killed as Army troops overran their camp Friday. – Alexis Romero, John Unson, Edith Regalado, Charlie Lagasca