Security forces kill 3 NPA gunmen during Mindoro encounter

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro - Three New People's Army (NPA) gunmen were killed in an encounter in Sitio Kalibang, Barangay Panaytayan, Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro, the Philippine National Police said on Friday.

Lieutenant Colonel Socrates Faltado, spokesperson of the MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) Police Regional Office, said the encounter took place between some 40 NPA fighters and soldiers of the Philippine Army's 4th Infantry Battalion around 3:10 p.m. on Thursday.

The encounter lasted about three hours after which the communist gunmen withdrew towards Sitio Mawan.

Aside from the bodies of the killed NPA men, three M16 and an AK47 rifles were also recovered at the encounter site.

The Philippine National Police and the Philippine Army have started clearing and follow-up operation against the communist insurgents. — DVM, GMA News