Two suspected New People’s Army (NPA) members got killed as government troops clashed with the rebel group in Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, Wednesday morning.

Army chief Lt. Gen Arturo Ortiz said members of the 80th Infantry Battalion encountered about 18 rebels at Sitio Lanaban, Brgy. Manoot, around 9:45 a.m.

The firefight lasted 20 minutes before the rebels, who planned to attack a police detachment in Brgy. Ligaya, Sablayan, Oriental Mindoro, withdrew, Col. Generoso Bolina, AFP Southern Luzon Command spokesman, said.

Troops recovered the bodies of two male rebels, who still held an M14 and M16 rifle, he said.

Members of the Army K9 Team and PNP-SOCO were sent to the area to search for other rebels who may be wounded. (John Roson)

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