AFP, NPA clash in N. Samar; 2 rebels held

MANILA, Philippines — Two New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were arrested following an encounter in Northern Samar yesterday morning.

The clash occurred while personnel of the 43rd Infantry Battalion were patrolling Barangay San Vicente in Catubig town after receiving reports on extortion activities by NPA guerrillas, according to reports reaching Camp Aguinaldo.

There was no reported casualty on both sides.

An M16 rifle, ammunition, a laptop, three flash drives, a memory card, two card readers and two cell phones were recovered from the rebels.  

Maj. Gen. Raul Farnacio, 8th Infantry Division commander, called on the troops to remain aggressive against NPA rebels harassing civilian communities.

“The incident only shows that these rebels are desperate to inflict casualties on government troops to slow down the delivery of basic services,” Farnacio said.

In Masbate, suspected communist guerrillas shot dead a former member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit in Cawayan town yesterday.

Senior Inspector Malou Calubaquib, Bicol police spokesperson, identified the victim as Mario Dayco, 35, a resident of Barangay Panan-awan.

Dayco had reportedly ignored warnings to move out of the area, where several NPA rebels were recently sighted.