3 rebels killed in Sultan Kudarat clash

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Three suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas were killed in an encounter in Senator Ninoy Aquino town in Sultan Kudarat yesterday.

The firefight broke out after the rebels reportedly opened fire at a team of troopers who were responding to a report about the presence of armed men in Barangay Bugso.

The guerrillas were reportedly extorting money from the villagers, according to Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon, chief of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division.

The slain rebels – identified by barangay leaders as Eduardo, Allan and Ruben – were reportedly followers of Kumander Rayray, chief of the NPA’s Daguma Guerrilla Front.

Soldiers recovered communications equipment, a .45 caliber pistol, food supplies, medical kits and a diagram for improvised explosive devices near the bodies of the rebels.