NPA guerilla from Sagada dead in Ifugao army clash

By RuelTabliago

AGUINALDO, Ifugao -- A member of the New People’s Army was killed in an early morning clash with members of the 54th Infantry Batallion Wednesday in barangay Damag here.  

A squad of soldiers led by Cpl Nestor Laman from the scout platoon of 54th IB clashed with an undetermined number of NPA guerillas at about 5:30 early Wednesday morning for several minutes.

The one-hour clash resultedto death of a certain Nardo Magnanang Gaong from Sagada, Mountain Province.

Army officials said the clash was a result of a security patrol conducted due to reports from the populace about the presence of armed men in the locality.

Troops recovered from the cadaver of Gaonga bandoleer, six short magazines for M 16 rifle, rifle grenade and improvised antennae for handheld radio.

The body of Gaong was brought by soldiers to the Carbonel funeral homes at Santa Maria, Alfonso ListaIfugao.

It was later claimed by relatives from Sagada.

Military authorities said there could be more wounded rebels due to the length of time before they were able to get out from the clash site.