3 NPA rebels killed in N. Cotabato clash

NORTH COTABATO – Three New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in an encounter with soldiers in Magpet town in this province yesterday.

Lt. Col. Ehrlich Noel Paraso, 19th Infantry Battalion commander, said the bodies of the slain rebels of the Pulang Bagani Command were turned over to the local government.

An M16 rifle was recovered from one of the fatalities.

Three other rebels were reportedly wounded and carried away by their comrades as they retreated.

Paraso said the encounter occurred in Barangay Panaca when soldiers checking the reported presence of gunmen collecting money from villagers were shot.

“We are grateful to vigilant residents... for reporting... the presence of NPAs... enabling us to immediately flush them out,” he said.