Suspected rebel killed in NegOr clash

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Another suspected member of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in an encounter with the Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB) at Sitio Banderahan, Barangay Trinidad, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental yesterday.

Colonel Michael Samson, acting commander of 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde), identified the fatality as Orlando Fat alias “Banban,” an alleged political instructor of Section Guerrilla Unit (SGU) 3, Central Negros Front 1.

A firearm was also recovered, according to Army reports.

The encounter came a day after the 94th IB also clashed with suspected NPA rebels at Sitio Maliko-liko, Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on Jan. 9, killing Jose Gonzales Sr., 49, of Barangay Carabalan, an alleged member of Sandatahang Yunit Propaganda (SYP) of Central Negros Front 1.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Reynante Jomocan, Himamaylan City police chief, said that Gonzales was identified by his daughter yesterday.

The Himamaylan clash came after the soldiers responded to a report on the alleged presence of unidentified armed persons, reportedly conducting extortion activities in the area.