3 NPA rebels killed in Samar clash

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — Three New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in an encounter with government troopers in Barangay Libertad in San Jorge, Samar on Wednesday.

The three were with the NPA’s Platoon Yakal led by a certain Bart and believed to be behind the landmine attack that left seven soldiers wounded in Mapanas, Northern Samar last July 5, according to Capt. Ryan Layug, 8th Infantry Division (ID) spokesman.

He said soldiers of the 801st Infantry Brigade used drones to track down the group.

Three M16 rifles, an AK47, a shotgun, anti-personnel mines were among the items recovered during clearing operations.

“Our troops were able to track them down using our modern equipment, resulting in a series of encounters,” Maj. General Edgardo de Leon, 8th ID commander, said. “There will be more armed clashes in the mountains because the terrorists could no longer enter communities to hide. The residents are rejecting them because of their violence and atrocities.”

In Cagayan, Rosielyn Simon of the NPA’s Giyang Pulitikal executive committee was arrested in Barangay Bulala in Camalaniugan town, Capt. Ringor Pamittan, spokesman for the 5th ID said.

The arrest was based on a warrant for illegal possession, manufacture and acquisition of firearms, ammunition and explosives.