An alleged New People’s Army (NPA) rebel died in an encounter with the military in Borongan, Eastern Samar on Saturday, Feb. 18.
Capt. Jefferson Mariano, chief of the 8th Infantry Division (8ID) public affairs office, said elements of the 78thInfantry Battalion (78IB) were conducting a pursuit operation against the NPA operating in the hinterlands of Barangay San Andres when they were met with gunfire around 11 a.m.
The troops retaliated and the exchange of fire resulted in the death of an unidentified communist rebel, Mariano said.
The operation was a follow-up to the clash between the 78IB and the NPA on Feb. 17 after the troops received a report from the villagers that there were armed men in Barangay San Andres.
During the two encounters, the troops recovered an M16 rifle, anti-personnel mine (APM), and assorted ammunition.