Two NPAs die in clash with soldiers in Compostela Valley

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 30): Two NPAs die in clash with soldiers in Compostela Valley

Two New People’s Army (NPA) rebels died in a clash with government troops in a remote village of Compostela Valley province, a military official announced Friday. Lt. Col. Antonio Florendo, 66th Infantry Battalion commander, said the clash took place around 3 a.m. Thursday in Barangay Lebanon, Montevista municipality. Florendo said the firefight ensued when a group of NPA rebels opened fire while the troops were conducting security patrol at Purok 4 of Barangay Lebanon. Florendo said the troops conducted a patrol upon reports on the presence of NPA rebels extorting money from the residents in the area. The NPA rebels fled to different directions following a few minutes of fire fight leaving behind their two dead comrades, Florendo said. He said the troops have recovered a .45-caliber pistol and an improvised bomb fashioned out as a landmine from one of the two slain rebels. Florendo said they are still trying to establish the identities of the two slain NPAs in order for the family to claim their remains and “give the two victims a decent burial.” Florendo extended his sympathies to the family and relatives of the two slain NPAs. “We believe that the deceitful acts of the New People’s Army caused the death of its two members,” Florendo said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=476011