Alleged NPA Rebel Killed in Negros Clash

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – An alleged member of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in a firefight with the Philippine Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion in Sitio Bugtangan, Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on Friday.

The five-minute encounter resulted in the death of Jun-Jun Benoy, alias “Gringo,” a 24-year-old resident of Barangay Mahalang, Himamaylan City, according to a report from the 3rd Infantry Division.

The 3ID said former rebels identified Benoy as a member of Squad 2 of the dismantled Central Negros 2, under Komiteng Rehiyon–Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor.

Col. Erwin Rommel Lamzon, 3ID spokesperson, said government troops were conducting combat operations around 4:30 p.m. after receiving reports about the presence of armed NPA remnants.

They encountered at least five suspected rebels during the operation.

Recovered from the scene were an M16 rifle and various personal belongings.

In a statement, the 3ID commended the 94th Infantry Battalion for acting swiftly on information from local residents, which led to the neutralization of a rebel and the recovery of a high-powered firearm.

Maj. Gen. Michael Samson, 3ID commander, said the operation is part of their continued efforts to weaken the remaining NPA forces and prevent them from regaining strength in Negros.

“There is still a chance for peace, but the time to act is now,” Samson said, urging the remaining rebels to surrender.

The Romeo Nanta Command-NPA South Central Negros Guerilla Front, in a statement released on Sunday, slammed the military for the death of Benoy, whom the group alleged to be a laborer.

The rebel group’s spokesperson Dionesio Magbuelas, said that no encounter transpired and there was no presence of NPA rebels in the said area that day.

Magbuelas said that Benoy was a civilian and not an NPA rebel. He added that the incident brought fear to the community.