8 NPA rebels killed in early morning clash with Army soldiers in Sorsogon

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 4): 8 NPA rebels killed in early morning clash with Army soldiers in Sorsogon
 
Eight New People’s Army (NPA) members were killed in an encounter with Army soldiers early Thursday morning in Barangay (village) Upper Calmayon, a far-flung village of Juban town in Sorsogon, a ranking official of the Philippine Army in Bicol said today, July 4.

Brig. Gen. Felix Castro, 9th Infantry Division assistant commander said in a phone interview that Army soldiers from the 31st Infantry Battalion were on a combat mission when they encountered a 20-man NPA band in a mountainous area of the village around 6 a.m., Thursday.

A 35-minute firefight ensued, resulting in the killing of the seven NPA rebels and recovery of five M16 rifles, two M203 grenade rifles and improvised explosive devices.

No casualty was reported on the government forces' side.

The dead NPA rebels were members of the communist guerrilla front Larangan 2.

Army soldiers are presently in hot pursuit of the fleeing surviving rebels.

The bodies of the slain rebels are now in the custody of Army troopers at the site of the encounter in the hinterland village of Juban town, about 82 kilometers from this city, said Castro.

He added that the bodies will be turned over to the Philippine National Police in Juban town for proper identification and disposition.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=540912