4 suspected NPA members killed in clashes in Occidental Mindoro, Masbate — military

Four suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA) were killed in separate operations in Occidental Mindoro and Masbate on Monday, the military said.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the 68th Infantry Battalion (IB) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Action Force encountered around 10 suspected rebels in Barangay Malpalon in Calintaan, Occidental Mindoro.

A suspected NPA member died and a soldier was wounded following the five-minute firefight, the AFP said.

Recovered from the suspected communist rebel was an M16 rifle.

The succeeding operation, conducted by the 4th IB, 76th IB, and 68IB, targeted more or less five alleged NPA members who fled from the previous encounter. 

A suspected NPA member was also killed, according to the military.

Recovered from the encounter site were an M16 Bushmaster rifle, magazines for the M16 rifle, an improvised hand grenade, and various ammunition.

In Palanas, Masbate, the AFP said the 2nd IB had an eight-minute firefight with more or less 20 suspected NPA fighters in the vicinity of Barangay Miabas.

Two suspected rebels were killed, the military said.

Seized from the area were an M16 rifle, an anti-personnel mine, and a bandolier, according to the AFP. —VBL, GMA News