(Google map of Placer, Masbate province) LEGAZPI CITY - Four New People's Army (NPA) rebels were killed in an armed encounter with government troops in the boundaries of the towns of Esperanza and Placer in Masbate province on Friday morning. Major John Paul Belleza, 9th Infantry Division spokesperson, said in a statement that concerned citizens reported the presence of NPA guerillas in their area prompting soldiers of 2nd Infantry Battalion (2IB) under the 903rd Infantry Brigade and supported by Philippine National Police (PNP) to conduct security operation. The government troops encountered at least 20 NPA members at the boundary of Barangay Baras, Esperanza, and Barangay Manlut-od, Placer. "The intense firefight between the two forces lasted for an hour resulting in the killing of the still-unidentified NPA members and capture of one R4 rifle, two M16 rifles, two M653 rifles, one Garand rifle, two rifle grenades, one hand grenade, anti-personnel mines, and terroristic propa