PAGADIAN CITY – A soldier and a suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebel were killed during a brief clash in Sergio Osmeña town in Zamboanga del Norte on Saturday, the military said on Sunday. Lt. Col. Marlowe Patria, the commander of the Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion, said that soldiers led by 1Lt. Abner Pilando were conducting combat operation in Barangay San Isidro when they encountered the communist rebels. He said the operation was conducted following reports that the rebels were harassing villagers in San Isidro. The body of the slain rebel, who remained unidentified, was recovered together with an ammunition magazine for AK-47 assault rifle.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer February 18, 2018 04:18 UTC