CAMP OLA, Albay — Five members of the New Peoples’ Army (NPA) were killed in an armed encounter with government troops who were trying to serve a warrant of arrest against a high ranking rebel official in Brgy. Bugtong, Mandaon town in Masbate province on Sunday morning, October 24.
Police Major Malu Calubaquib, Police Regional Office 5 (PRO-5) spokesperson said that the supposed serving of warrant of arrest against Eddie or Arnold Rosero, alyas “Ka Star”, platoon leader of Larangan 1, Komite ng Probinsiya 4 of the Bicol Regional Party Committee have resulted into their untimely deaths after refusing arrests.
The encounter lasted for about 30 minutes, according to Calubaquib with no casualty or wounded on the side of the government.
“Si Ka Star at iba pang kasama nito ay nahaharap sa limang kasong murder, attempted murder at mga krimeng may kaugnayan sa paglabag sa international humanitarian law, genocide at iba pang krimen na labag sa karapatang pantao,” Calubaquib said.
Recovered from the encounter site were three pieces of M16 rifles, one M14 rifle, two caliber 45, magazines and cartridges for M16 and M14 rifles, improvised explosive device (IED) with detonating cord, bandolier, backpacks, paraphernalia and other subversive documents.
Authorities are still conducting hot pursuits for fleeing rebels.