NPA suspect killed in Camarines Norte firefight

A suspected member of the communist-led New People’s Army was killed in a firefight with government troops in Camarines Norte on Saturday morning, a Philippine Army spokesperson said. The suspected rebel, along with four other alleged NPA members, was reportedly conducting extortion activities from residents of Barangay (village) Maulawin-Tabugo in Sta. Elena town when they were chanced upon by Army troops, Lt. Col. Noel Detoyato of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division said in a text message on Saturday.

Detoyato said a ten-minute firefight ensued, after which the suspected rebels fled in different directions. Troops later discovered the body of one of the suspected rebels, who reportedly died due to gunshot wounds, he added. The Army spokesperson said Army units are currently patrolling the area to ensure that the NPA rebels do not continue their extortion activities. In recent weeks, the Armed Forces reiterated its vow, made a few years ago, to crush the communist-led insurgency throughout the country before President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s term ends in June.—ACC/JV, GMANews.TV