MANILA, Philippines - Army troopres killed three suspected New People's Army (NPA) rebels in an encounter in Doña Remedios Trinidad town in Bulacan, Friday morning.
Col. Henry Sabarre, commander of the Philippine Army's 703 Infantry Brigade, said troops from the 48th Infantry Battalion encountered at least 12 NPA rebels in Barangay Kabayunan at around 6 a.m.
Sabarre said that the Army troopers were conducting a security patrol when they chanced upon the rebels.
He said the firefight lasted for at least 10 minutes.
The bodies of the rebels and an M-16 rifle were recovered from the site of the encounter.
Sabarre said security patrols were conducted by the Army unit after several reports of the rebels' sightings in the area.
He alleged that the rebels were on a recruitment mission when they were encountered by the soldiers.