NPA rebel killed in Negros Or. amid Army’s disaster response

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – An alleged member of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed following two clashes in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental last Saturday.

But Brigadier General Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde), has yet to identify the fatality as of noon yesterday.

Pasaporte said the first clash occurred at Sitio Mambog, Barangay Planas around 3:10 p.m. while the troopers of the 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB) were on standby to conduct humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations in relation to Tropical Storm “Paeng.”

Military troopers clashed with at least 20 suspected members of Central Negros 1 (CN1)-Komiteng Rehiyon Negros Cebu Bohol Siquijor (KR-NCBS) after they responded to a report regarding the alleged extortion activities of the NPA in the village.

According to the Army, the troopers were approaching the area when unidentified armed men allegedly fired against them, resulting in a 30-minute firefight.

Six hours later, Pasaporte said that another encounter happened at Sitio Ilihan, Barangay Buenavista between the alleged fleeing NPA rebels and the 62nd IB around 9 p.m. The firefight lasted for five minutes.

No casualty was reported on the government side in the two encounters, according to Pasaporte.

However, Pasaporte said the Army discovered the remains of an unidentified NPA rebel on Sunday morning.

Pasaporte said they are still verifying the identity of the fatality, who is said to be a member of CN1.

Military troopers also recovered a 12 gauge shotgun, a .45 caliber pistol, a hand grenade, two radios, two backpacks with personal belongings, and subversive documents.

Meanwhile, the 62nd IB ensures its support in assisting the local government of Guihulngan to secure its constituents in times of calamities.