NPA fighter killed in Davao Occidental

GENERAL SANTOS CITY–A New People’s Army (NPA) rebel was killed early dawn Friday after government troops and communist rebels figured in a firefight in Barangay Culaman, Jose Abad Santos town, Davao Occidental.

First Lt. Darryl Cansancio, 73rd Infantry Battalion company commander, said troops encountered some 20 NPA fighters belonging to Guerilla Front 71 who were conducting recruitment activities in a mountain village in Barangay Culaman, Jose Abad Santos early morning Friday.

An unidentified NPA rebel was killed while no casualty was reported on the side of government troops during the 30-minute gunfight.

Troops recovered an M653 rifle from the slaiwn NPA rebel.

Cansancio said the soldiers were dispatched to the area following intelligence reports that the NPA rebels were recruiting local residents to join the communist underground movement.

Brig. Gen. Roberto Ancan, 1002nd Infantry Brigade, has ordered manhunt operations against the fleeing rebels who withdrew toward the mountanous area of Barangay Culaman.