2 killed as military, NPA clash in Rizal province

A soldier and a New People's Army gunman were killed when a Philippine Army Community Support Program (CSP) Team and communist insurgents clashed in Barangay Puray in Rizal's Rodriguez town Saturday afternoon.

According to the military, locals informed the CSP Team about the presence of the NPA gunmen and their alleged plan to attack the soldiers.

To preempt the planned attack, the soldiers went on a community defense patrol and clashed with the insurgents at around 3 p.m.

Two soldiers were also wounded in the action but both were in stable condition.

Seized at the clash site were:

• an M16 rifle
• a hand grenade
• a rifle grenade
• a jungle pack
• enemy documents

The government declared a ceasefire with the communist rebels on March 18 due to the threat from the novel coronavirus.

The communist NPA followed suit on March 25. — DVM, GMA News