NPA rebel armed with M16 killed in Lanao del Sur clash, 9th incident since January

A communist New People's Army rebel was killed during a clash with government troops in Barangay Bandara Ingod, Lanao del Sur on Saturday.

Brigadier General Billy Dela Rosa, commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade, reported that an unidentified NPA member armed with an M16 rifle died in the encounter.

The clash marks the ninth incident between government forces and remnants of the NPA Sub-Regional Committee-5 since January.

Last week, another member of SRC-5 surrendered following a separate clash in Barangay Pagonayan.

Major General Yegor Rey Barroquillo Jr., commander of the 1st Infantry Division, promised continued military operations to dismantle remaining SRC-5 elements while supporting peace and development programs with local governments.