Suspected NPA leader killed in Camarines Sur clash

A ranking communist rebel was killed following a clash with government security forces in Camarines Sur Wednesday night, a regional military spokesman said Thursday. A text message from Army 9th Infantry Division spokesman Maj. Harold Cabunoc identified the slain rebel as Elmer Osila alias Ka Fredo, reportedly the secretary of Front Committee 75 of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) operating in the Bicol Region. Cabunoc said the encounter occurred at 7:15 p.m. when elements of the 42nd Infantry Battalion proceeded to Lamon village in Goa town after receiving information that armed men were extorting money from residents in the area purportedly to support candidates in the upcoming barangay elections. Cabunoc said the soldiers were fired upon by Osila's men, which triggered a five-minute firefight. The operating troops later found Osila's body, along with two rebel firearms in the encounter site. No government casualties were reported. Cabunoc said the rebel leader's body was brought to the town proper for disposition. Information from authorities showed that Osila was allegedly involved in operations that resulted in th killing of four soldiers, including a young officer, in July. The slain rebel leader was also reportedly involved in the burning of heavy equipment of Sunwest Corp. and killing of two militiamen in July. — RSJ, GMANews.TV