LEGAZPI CITY -- Three suspected New People's Army (NPA) rebels were slain in a clash with Army soldiers in a remote village in Camarines Norte Thursday.
Government troopers also seized five assault rifles and two improvised explosive devices (IED) from the insurgents during the clash in a far-flung village in Jose Panganiban town, a military official said.
The identities of the fatalities are yet to be determined, according to Army Capt. Joash Pramis, 9th Infantry Division (ID) spokesperson.
Army soldiers were on patrol around 6:30 a.m. when they engaged an undetermined number of communist rebels in Sitio (sub-village) Banasi, Barangay Sta. Cruz in a fierce firefight.
The encounter lasted for almost an hour and led to the deaths of the three rebels, and the recovery of M-16, AK 47 and M-14 rifles, a grenade launcher and two IEDs, Pramis said.
As of posting time, Army soldiers are still conducting pursuit operations against the fleeing rebels. (PNA)
