A COMMUNIST rebel was killed in a clash with government troopers Monday afternoon, August 21, in Mabantao village, Kapalong town in Davao del Norte province.

Captain Rhyan Batchar, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division, said that troops belonging to 60th Infantry Battalion (IB) were conducting security operation at 5:50 p.m. Monday, in Sitio Mambuto, Barangay Mabantao when they chanced upon five members of the New People’s Army (NPA).

A five-minute firefight ensued resulting to the death of NPA leader Alfonzo Kambal Jr. alias “Queen”, a resident of Barangay Mamangan, San Isidro, Davao del Norte.

The rebels are under the Pulang Bagani Command, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee led by Kambal, Batchar said.

Batchar said no government soldier was killed or wounded during the encounter.

Authorities recovered a handgun after the encounter.

Meanwhile, troopers recovered on Monday an M14 rifle and three improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Sitio Lawbong, Barangay Tudok, T'boli, South Cotabato.

Authorities recovered the IEDs after a former NPA member informed them where it was hidden in Tudok village in T'boli.

The rebel returnee surrendered to the military along with his two high-powered firearms that are now under the custody of the Armed Forces.

The former rebel's enrollment to the Comprehensive Local Integration Program is now being processed.