TACLOBAN CITY — Two suspected New People’s Army rebels were killed in a clash with soldiers on Wednesday, Aug. 27, in Barangay San Jose, Mapanas, Northern Samar.
One of the slain communist fighters was identified as Motaw Ortazo, alias “Ibaro.”
Troops engaged about 10 Cobra members of the Sub-Regional Guerrilla Unit, Codename Laysan, Sub-Regional Committee Arctic, and Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee.
The firefight lasted for about an hour and 10 minutes after which the rebels withdrew.
No one was hurt on the government side.
Recovered in the encounter site were two M16 rifles, five M16 magazines, ammunition, and personal belongings.