By Ruel Saldico CAMP ANGELES, Camarines Sur — An army trooper was killed in an armed encounter with New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Bato town, this province last Monday afternoon. Captain Joash Pramis, spokesman of the army’s 9th Infantry “Spear” Division (9ID), identified the fatality as 2nd Lieutenant Jason Frederick P. Pasco, of Bravo Company of the 83rd Infantry Brigade (83IB). Pramis said the encounter with an undetermined number of NPA guerrillas broke out at 5:15 p.m. Monday in Barangay Mainit in Bato. Apart from Pasco, Private First Class Reynaldo A. Aquino was also hit during the exchange of fire. Aquino was being treated for his bullet wound at Santa Maria Josefa Hospital Foundation, in Iriga City, said Pramis. As support for the troops, police stations in Bato and its adjoining areas have set up checkpoints in a bid to intercept the fleeing rebels.