Batangas: A New People's Army (NPA) fighter was killed in a clash with government forces in Batangas province Wednesday afternoon. Lt. Col. Jeffrex Molina, public affairs office chief of the Philippine Army's 2nd Infantry Division, said Thursday soldiers from the 59th Infantry Battalion were on routine security operations at Barangay Balibago in Lobo town when NPA insurgents fired upon them at about 2:15 p.m. According to Philippines News Agency, the rebels fled after one of their members was killed in the ensuing 20-minute firefight while a soldier sustained minor injury. Molina said the slain rebel was identified as Rey delos Santos, also known by his aliases "Japeth", "Roy", and "Ren". "A former rebel who is already helping the government in its peace campaign disclosed that the death of Delos Santos is another reduction to the already skeletal strength of the terrorists operating in Batangas," Molina said. Recovered from the clash site were two high-powered firearms, two anti-personnel mines and a magaz ine.