BATANGAS - A suspected member of the communist New People's Army was killed in an encounter with the Philippine Air Force in Lian town, early Monday morning, police said.

Senior Superintendent Leopoldo Cabanag, Batangas police director, said the casualty remains unidentified as of this posting.

According to the report, elements of the 730th Combat Group of the PAF was conducting patrol operation when they chanced upon 20 heavily armed rebels in Sitio Bakayan, Barangay Lumaniag, Lian town around 2:55 am.

After the firefight, government troops recovered three long firearms, assorted ammunition, assorted empty shells for long firearms, bandolier, explosives, backpacks containing personal belongings and documents.

Air Force troops and the Philippine National Police conducted hot pursuit operation against the fleeing rebels.