A New People's Army (NPA) guerrilla was killed in a clash with the 26th Infantry Battalion (26IB) on Tuesday in the hinterlands of San Luis town, Agusan del Sur province. The 4th Infantry Division (4ID) reported Wednesday that 26IB troops were conducting a military operation in Sitio Tamyang, Barangay Binicalan when they encountered around 50 rebels from the Headquarters Force NEO and Regional Sentro De Gravidad Compaq of the NPA's North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC). The troops recovered a Bushmaster M4 rifle, ammunition, and personal items. The slain NPA member's identity is still being verified. 4ID Commander, Maj. Gen. Jose Maria Cuerpo II, commended the troops for recovering four high-powered firearms this month. He anticipates more rebel surrenders as the military intensifies operations against NPA forces. Cuerpo highlighted recent surrenders of NPA members, including Marson Esteban Barela, alias "Babu," who helped locate weapons in Mt. Linintian in Prosperidad town, Agusan del Sur. O ther recoveries include an M16 rifle, an AK47 rifle, and an M60 machine gun turned over by former rebels in separate operations earlier this October. Source: Philippines News Agency