By Nino N. Luces
CAMP OLA, Albay - Five suspected members of the New Peoples' Army (NPA) were killed in an encounter with police and military forces in Bulan town, Sorsogon, Friday morning.
Police Major Malu Calubaquib, Police Regional Office 5 (PRO-5) spokesperson, said that joint elements of Bicol Philippine National Police (PNP) and Army encountered an undetermined number of suspected NPAs in Barangay Dolos, in Bulan town at around 5:30 a.m. on Friday, May 8.
Calubaquib identified the fatalities as alias "Jerick Bono", alias "Ben Palanc", alias "Munding TaƱada", alias "Robot" and alias "Amie".
Earlier, Calubaquib said that two suspected rebels were killed in the encounter but later clarified that five fatalities were actually recovered by government forces from among the ranks of the rebels.
Confiscated and seized after the encounter were assorted long and short firearms, magazines and ammunitions, bandoleers, IED and electric wires, improvised grenade, laptop, projector, portable radios, Antenna for Long range 2 way Radio, Bushnell Rangefinder, Honda Portable Generator and other assorted subversive documents with high intel values, Calubaquib disclosed.
"Police operatives together with AFP counterparts are still conducting clearing operations in the nearby barangays. Moreover, the community are encouraged to coordinate and report any suspicious person that they may come across the area," she said.