Two slain NPA rebels in NegOcc town clash identified

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The two suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA), who were killed in a series of clashes with government forces in Barangay Macagahay, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental on June 13 have been identified by their families.

According to the Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB), the fatalities were Benjie Ebarle alias “Omar”, an alleged member of Central Negros (CN) 1, and Roweno Anobong alias “Wen”, 46, also an alleged member of CN 1, both residents of the said village.

Their cadavers were already retrieved from Sitio Cupad, Barangay Macagahay to Barangay Maytubig, Isabela town through the Philippine Air Force Black Hawk from Tactical Operation Group 6 (TOG6).

They were turned over to a funeral parlor in Moises Padilla town.

The 62nd IB launched combat operations after receiving information about the alleged presence of an armed group in Barangay Macagahay when they encountered some armed men last Tuesday.

At least 32 families were displaced, but have returned to their respective homes after the affected areas were cleared by authorities.

Meanwhile, the 62nd IB is appealing and calling those wounded and fleeing rebels to voluntarily surrender.