5 suspected NPAs, 1 cop killed in Bohol clash

Five alleged members of the New People's Army (NPA) and a policeman were killed in an encounter in Bilar, Bohol on Friday morning, the Philippine Army said.

Army public affairs office chief Colonel Louie Dema-ala told reporters that one of the fatalities on the rebels' side was a "leader" identified as alias Ompoc.

In a separate statement, the Armed Forces Visayas Command (Viscom) said Domingo Jaspe Compoc or Silong was the top NPA leader in Bohol.

“...Domingo Compoc who has a bounty of 2.6 million is wanted for several cases including rebellion, homicide, attempted homicide, multiple murder, frustrated murder, and robbery,” it said.

Another member of the Philippine National Police (PNP) was wounded in the firefight, according to Dema-ala.

The clash of the state’s Bohol Police Provincial Office and 47th Infantry Battalion against the NPA’s Bohol Party Committee started at 6:52 a.m., according to the Viscom.

Dema-ala said the firefight was still ongoing as of posting time.

Recovered from the encounter site were six firearms including an M653 assault rifle, an R4 assault rifle, an M16 rifle, and three caliber .45 pistols, the Viscom said. — VDV/RSJ, GMA Integrated News