A senior New People’s Army (NPA) leader was killed in an encounter with government troops in Camalig, Albay province, on Monday night.
The slain rebel was described as the commanding officer of the Regional Special Operations Group of the Bicol Regional Party Committee by Army Lt. Col. Cliff Chester L. de Ocampo, commander of the 31st Infantry (Charge) Battalion of the 9th Infantry Division.
The encounter between troops of the 31st IB and the 5th Regional Mobile Force Battalion and NPA rebels took place in Barangay Magogon, he said.
During clearing and retrieval operations after the clash, government forces recovered a Glock 17 9mm pistol, personal belongings, and documents, de Ocampo said.
The purported rebel leader had been with the NPA for more than three decades and had held various leadership positions within the rebel organization in Bicol, he said.
The recovered firearm, personal belongings, and documents were subjected to documentation and examination as part of the ongoing investigation, de Ocampo said.
Security and clearing operations continued in the area in coordination with the police to ensure residents’ safety and maintain peace and order