Suspected NPA leader killed in Negros Occidental clash

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — A suspected squad leader of the dismantled Central Negros 2 (CN2) unit of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in an encounter with troops of the Philippine Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, on Tuesday morning.

Lt. Col. Ziegfred Tayaban, commander of the 94th IB, identified the fatality as Ruben Tingal, also known as “Ka Marcos,” a resident of Barangay Buenavista.

Tayaban said Ka Marcos was allegedly involved in the killings of civilians in Himamaylan City, Kabankalan City, and Binalbagan town, as reported by local residents.

He said soldiers were scouring the area after receiving a report from relatives of an alleged NPA couple, who claimed that remnants of the group were extorting money from farmers in the upland village.

The troops encountered at least five NPA members past 7 a.m.

Recovered from the site were an M16 rifle, several rounds of ammunition, grenades, subversive documents, an NPA flag, and personal belongings.

No civilians were harmed during the firefight, and no government troops were injured, according to Tayaban.

He said the body of the slain rebel remains at the encounter site, with coordination ongoing between the military and concerned government agencies.

A pursuit operation is underway against the fleeing insurgents.

Tayaban said the death of Ka Marcos is a blow to the group’s efforts to regain community support.

He urged remaining members of the NPA to lay down their arms and surrender.