2 rebels killed in Leyte clash

TACLOBAN CITY, Jan. 4  -- At least two members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in a fresh clash between armed rebels and government troops in the upland Hilapnitan village in Baybay City on Thursday, few days after the end of holiday truce.

Initial reports reaching the Philippine National Police regional office in Palo, Leyte said that government troops encountered 18 NPA members around 10:45 a.m. on Thursday.

The soldiers from the 78th Infantry Battalion acted on a report from residents regarding the extortion activities of armed rebels in the upland community.

The hour-long gun battle has killed two rebels. The army also recovered two rifles from rebels. No one from the government side was killed in the clash.

Troops are still scouring the area to hunt other rebels involved in the reported extortion activity.

The upland areas in Baybay City is known to be one of the hotbeds of armed rebels in Leyte Island. Several encounters between the army and NPAs have been reported in the area over the past years. The city is about 107 kilometers southwest of Tacloban City. (SQM/PNA)