LEGAZPI CITY – A member of the New People's Army (NPA) was killed and two others were arrested in a clash in Barangay Magogon, Camalig, Albay on Thursday, the Police Regional Office (PRO) 5 (Bicol) said.
Lt. Col. Malu Calubaquib, PRO-5 spokesperson, said the encounter ensued after a concerned citizen reported to the Camalig Municipal Police Station about the presence of armed men in the village.
A joint team from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) proceeded to the location but was met by gunfire by the armed group, resulting in a 30-minute firefight.
No casualties were reported on the side of the government troops, while a rebel was confirmed slain and two others were arrested, the report read.
The troops launched a manhunt in strategic areas to intercept rebels who were able to flee the scene.
Calubaquib identified the slain rebel as "Chad" and the two arrested as Marsi/Masi, 42, and Ka Yeng, 44.
Marsi/Masi has a standing warrant of arrest for attempted murder and destructive arson, while Ka Yeng has a standing warrant of arrest for murder.
"Ka Yeng, while under the custody of Camalig MPS (Municipal Police Station), was persuaded to confess information that their group hid a firearms cache located at Barangay Panoypoy Camalig. The operative located the place and recovered an arms cache and several assorted firearms and ammunition at the vacant lot," Calubaquib added.
The recovered firearms included five M14 rifles and an M16, along with various types of ammunition.
In a statement, PRO-5 Director Andre P. Dizon commended the responding team from PNP, AFP, and NICA for the successful anti-insurgency operation. (PNA)
