(FILE) NPA members in formation.
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� An alleged ranking leader of the New People鈥檚 Army (NPA), along with an alleged member of the communist armed group, were killed in a clash with the military in Barangay New La Union, Maitum town in Sarangani Province, the Philippine Army said in a statement Thursday.
Those killed were identified as Arnold Laugo Amad, the alleged Second Deputy Secretary of Guerrilla Front Musa of the Far South Mindanao Region, and an NPA member identified as an alias 鈥淪aysay.鈥�
Government troops and the NPA figured in a firefight that lasted for 10 minutes, said Lieutenant Colonel Rey Rico, commander of the 34th Infantry Battalion.
Rico said two other NPA members fled during the firefight.
The clash happened as soldiers conducted a focused military operation following the discovery of an abandoned NPA camp, said聽 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade Commander Brigadier General Pedro Balisi Jr.