3 suspected NPAs dead in Jaro, Leyte clash —Army

Three suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in an armed encounter in the hinterlands of Barangay Pange, Jaro, Leyte on Monday, Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division (8ID) said.

The 8ID said its 93rd Infantry Battalion (93IB) were conducting a focused military operation in response to reports of concerned residents on alleged armed individuals who were supposedly coercing and intimidating the communities.

“As the soldiers approached the vicinity, the armed elements opened fire, which prompted the troops to retaliate,” the 8ID said in a statement.

According to the military, the three fatalities were supposedly remnants of the Island Committee Levox of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee.

Two firearms were also seized from the suspected NPA members.

The 8ID did not mention any casualties on the camp of the government troops. —AOL, GMA Integrated News