NPA rebel killed in Agusan del Sur clash

(Updated 9:28 p.m.) A communist rebel was killed Sunday in an encounter with government soldiers at a remote area in Agusan del Sur province in southern Philippines, a military official said. Citing initial reports from the field, Army chief Lt. Gen. Arturo Ortiz said soldiers were still pursuing as of posting time the other members of the New People’s Army (NPA) group who fled after the 10-minute clash at a remote village in New Tubigon village in Sibagat town. Ortiz said elements of the 42nd and 26th Infantry Battalion were conducting combat operation at the area around 10 a.m. when they chanced upon with the rebels. “[The] said firefight lasted for 10 minutes, after which enemy withdrew [toward the] north direction of encounter site," said Ortiz. The rebels were believed to belong to the Guerrilla Front 21 of the NPA’s North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee. Ortiz said no one was killed or injured on the military side. Recovered from the site of the encounter were one M16 rifle and the body of the slain rebel. “[The] said troops are still scouring the encounter site and tracking enemy withdrawal," the Army chief said. Meanwhile, in Cateel, Davao Oriental, a three-hour clash between government troops and NPA rebels resulted in the wounding of three soldiers and the seizure of five high-powered firearms from the enemy side. The encounter occurred at Barangay Aliwagwag at about 1:30 p.m., also on Sunday, a military report said. Recovered from the scene of the encounter were two M14 rifles, two 5.56 M16 rifles, a 5.56 M4 rifle, subversive documents and personal belongings. — KBK, GMA News