Suspected NPA rebel found dead after Negros Oriental clash

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — A suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebel was found dead following an encounter with troops of the Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB) in Sitio Calambia, Barangay Trinidad, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, on Monday.

The 3rd Infantry Division (ID) identified the fatality as Cristito Nilles Sr., alias “Dagohoy,” an alleged member of Squad 2 and acting secretary of Section Guerrilla Unit 3 of the dismantled Central Negros 1 (CN1).

According to the 3ID, the firefight erupted when suspected NPA remnants fired upon military troops conducting security operations in response to reports of armed elements in the area.

Nilles was reportedly wounded during the five-minute clash and was allegedly abandoned by his comrades in Sitio Uyangan, Barangay Budlasan, Canlaon City.

Military troops recovered his remains during subsequent pursuit and clearing operations.

Government forces also recovered an M16 rifle, three long magazines, ammunition, and personal belongings from the encounter site.

The military has previously identified Central Negros 1 as among the NPA guerrilla fronts dismantled in Negros, although it has continued to report encounters involving alleged remnants of the group in parts of the island.

Maj. Gen. Joey Escanillas, 3ID commander, commended the troops and the community for their vigilance.

He continued to call on the remaining NPA rebels to abandon the armed struggle, embrace peace, and return to their families, assuring them of government assistance.