NPA leader killed in Nueva Ecija clash

FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija, Philippines – A political officer of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed while his comrade was captured in an encounter with government troops in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija on Wednesday.

Maj. Gen. Angelito de Leon, commanding officer of the 7th Infantry Division, identified the slain NPA leader as an alias Paulo and the arrested rebel as 19-year-old Jeoffrey Tolentino. 

Two M16 rifles, two hand grenades, subversive documents and three improvised explosive devices were recovered at the scene.

De Leon said the clash occurred in Sitio Kabisalan in Barangay Digdig around 6:30 a.m.

Col. Filemon Santos, 703rd Infantry Brigade commander, said the rebels burned several construction equipment of Pacific Concrete Products (PCP) on Sept. 30.

PCP is constructing a bypass road between Carranglan and Sta. Fe that passes through the Caraballo mountains. The road will serve as an alternate route to the landslide-prone Dalton Pass.