A New People’s Army (NPA) rebel was killed during a clash between a communist band and Army forces in Northern Samar province on Saturday, the military yesterday said.

Report from the Army’s 803rd Infantry Brigade said the firefight erupted along Barangay MacArthur in Las Navas town.

Col. Ramil Bitong, 803rd Brigade commander, said the elements of the Army’s 43rd Infantry Battalion were responding to report of the presence of armed NPA rebels in the area when they were fired upon by the communists.

“A few kilometers from the barangay proper, the troops were fired upon by undetermined number of CNT (communist NPA terrorists), forcing them to retaliate and firefight erupted,” Bitong said.

“When fires subside, one slain CNT armed with M653 rifle Baby Armalite was found in the encounter site,” he added.

The identity of the slain NPA rebel is still unknown.

On the other hand, there was no reported casualty on the government side.

Bitong warned the military will continue conducting focused operations against NPA rebels within his area if they will not stop their atrocities.

He urged them to just surrender to the government and avail themselves of President Rodrigo Duterte’s integration program.

“This should serve as stern warning to other members of the lawless CNT that the arm of the law can reach you, no matter how long and far you can hide for evil never triumphs as long as good men stand for what is right,” Bitong said.