Army soldiers, suspected NPA rebels clash in Lopez, Quezon

Soldiers from the Philippine Army's 85th Infantry Battalion clashed with 20 suspected members of the New People's Army in Lopez, Quezon on Monday morning.

The gunfight lasted for 20 minutes in Barangay Jungo, according to Colonel Elias Escarcha, acting commander of the PA's 201st Infantry Brigade.

The suspected rebels were said to be led by a certain Ka Mando.

Members of the Philippine Army's 85th Infantry Battalion clashed with suspected New People's Army rebels in Lopez, Quezon on Monday, Jan. 15, 2018. Philippine Army 85th Infantry Battalion

No one was hurt on either side, but traces of blood were seen in the area where the suspected rebels were located before they withdrew.

Recovered from the site was an M-16 rifle.

Soldiers are conducting follow-up operations as of posting time. —KG, GMA News