FIVE communist New People’s Army rebels, including a platoon deputy commander, were killed while a soldier was injured in a firefight in Bilar town in Bohol yesterday morning.
Troops from the Army’s 47th Infantry Battalion were on a combat operation when they clashed with about 11 rebels in Barangay Cabacnitan at around 5:30 a..m, said Maj. Cenon Pancito, spokesman of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division.
Pancito said three NPA rebels were killed. An M16 rifle, four cal. 45 pistols, documents and other war materiel were recovered by the troops after a brief firefight.
Moments later, soldiers on blocking operation clashed with the retreating rebels in the same barangay, said Pancito.
The second encounter led to death of two more NPA rebels and recovery of an M16 rifle, a cal. 45 pistol, more documents, and personal belongings.
A soldier was wounded in the second firefight, said Pancito. The soldier, with a rank of private first class, is now in stable condition in a hospital in Tagbilaran City.
