Slain NPA rebel in Escalante clash identified

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde) has identified the alleged member of the New People’s Army (NPA) who was killed in a clash with military troopers in Barangay Libertad, Escalante City, Negros Occidental on April 20.

The fatality was identified as Armado Atoy, with aliases “Arnold” and “JunJun”, a resident of Barangay San Pablo, Manapla town.

The remains of Atoy were claimed by his parents who were assisted by the local government of Escalante City and officials of Barangay San Pablo, according to the Army.

The police and the Army were conducting joint military operations in response to a report on the alleged presence of unidentified armed persons when the clash happened at Sitio Tabunoc, Barangay Libertad where two soldiers were also wounded.

Military troopers recovered from the encounter site an M14 rifle, three M14 magazines, 20 live ammunition, a bandolier, three rifle grenades, three live grenade launcher ammunition, a camera, two commercial radios, a backpack, food supplies, subversive documents, and personal belongings.

Brigadier General Orlando Edralin, 303rd IBde commander, said the encounter was a result of the timely and accurate information provided by the local residents.

He commended the local government units for the transportation and other assistance extended to the family of the killed NPA.

On that same day, alleged NPA leader Rogelio Posadas was also killed in a series of clashes in Binalbagan and Isabela towns.