Army identifies alleged rebel slain in Himamaylan clash

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (ID) has identified the suspected New People’s Army (NPA) member who was killed in an armed encounter at Sitio Bugo, Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental last Wednesday.

Captain Cenon Pancito III, spokesperson of 3ID, said the fatality was Jose Encancion, of Sitio Candiis, Barangay Buenavista, an alleged member of SYP1, Central Negros 2.

Encancion died in the middle of a firefight between the NPA and the 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) troopers who responded to reports of the alleged presence of seven armed rebels in the area.

Recovered from the encounter site were an M1 Carbine Rifle, two .357 caliber pistols, and personal belongings.

Pancito said that the fatality was identified by a former NPA rebel.

Pancito said they have already informed his family, but his remains have yet to be claimed.

“Informed na ang family pero di pa nila na kukuha. Acknowledged naman nila ang napatay na kamag-anak nila,” he added.