A NEW People’s Army (NPA) leader died after a clash with government troops in Cataingan town in Masbate last Saturday.
The Army’s 9th Infantry Division based at Camp Elias Angeles in Pili, Camarines Norte identified the slain NPA leader as Lito Villaces Ajena, alias Cesar.
Maj. John Paul Belleza, 9th ID spokesman, said Ajena was the leader of the group of rebels that figured in an encounter with troops of the 2nd Infantry Battalion in Barangay Liong at around 6:30 a.m.
Belleza said soldiers were sent to the area after receiving information from residents about the presence of rebels, leading to a clash with a five-man rebel group.
The 10-minute firefight also resulted in the recovery of an M16 rifle, a cal. 45 pistol, a cal. 357 revolver, assorted magazines and ammunition, and NPA documents.
