Suspected NPA rebel killed in ComVal clash

A suspected communist rebel was killed Wednesday afternoon in an encounter with government troops in Compostela Valley in southern Philippines, a military spokesman said. The firefight occurred 4 p.m. after patrolling soldiers chanced upon a group of suspected New People's Army (NPA) rebels in New Bataan town, Army spokesman Major Ronald Alcudua said in a text message to reporters. The slain rebel has yet to be identified. Military troops are presently pursuing the other members of the group, Alcudua said. Newly-installed Armed Forces chief Lt. Gen. Ricardo David last week set a new two to three-year deadline to crush the communist insurgency in the country. President Benigno “Noynoy" Aquino III has also ordered the military to make the decimation of communist rebels as one of its priorities under its new leadership. - Andreo Calonzo/KBK, GMANews.TV