LEGAZPI CITY: Five members of the New People's Army (NPA) were killed in a military encounter in Barangay Gujom, Cawayan in the island province of Masbate on Friday.

Army Capt. Frank Roldan, spokesman of the Army's 9th Infantry Division based in Pili, Camarines Sur, said that soldiers under the 2nd Infantry Battalion were conducting a security patrol after Gujom residents tipped off the presence of an armed group.

When government forces arrived in the area, the armed men suddenly opened fire resulting in a 20-minute exchange.

Roldan said five members of the communist terrorist group were killed in the encounter. Aside from the five casualties, Roldan said some of the rebels who fled were wounded.

The Army identified the slain NPA members as Rufino Alba alias Kaloy, commanding officer; Biroc Noynay alias Marjon; Jerome Sabang; Patrocenio Aton; and Reneboy Versaga, all members of Platoon 1, Larangan 2, Komiteng Probinsya 4.

Roldan said Jimuel Naraja alias Angel and Highblood, also of Platoon 1, Larangan 2, Komiteng Probinsya 4, was injured during the firefight.

Roldan added that the Army nabbed three NPA sympathizers identified as Diosdado Riveral, Ricardo Capangpangan and Steve Riveral.

AFP Public Affairs Office chief Col. Jorry Baclor said the troops encountered an estimated 20 armed men in the area.

'In the 20-minute encounter, five [NPA members] were killed, and four rebels captured, including one wounded; while no one was hurt on the military side,' the 9th Infantry Division public affairs chief said.

Soldiers also recovered from the encounter site six high-powered firearms including an AK-47, five M-16 rifles, and the armed group's other equipment and personal belongings.

Government forces continue to pursue the rebels who escaped the encounter site.

The Joint Task Force Bicolandia (JTFB), according to the military regional spokesman, is closely monitoring the movement of the communist terrorist groups in the provinces of Sorsogon and Masbate.

Maj. Gen. Adonis Bajao, commander of the 9th Infantry (Spear) Division and the JTFB, urged the rebels to give up their guns.

'We're saddened by this kind of news, but we cannot discount the threat of terrorism, especially that this will affect the community. We are urging our brothers in the New People's Army to surrender, cooperate with the government and to be with their families for them to live a peaceful life,' Bajao said.