BACOLOD CITY — An alleged member of the New People's Army (NPA) was killed in a clash with the Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB) at Sitio Manlibod, Barangay Sandayao, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental on Saturday.
According to the Army, the soldiers were assessing the damage brought by Super Typhoon Odette and distributing financial assistance and medicines to all 24 Civilian Active Auxiliary (CAA) at their patrol bases, when they received reports about an armed group allegedly conducting extortion activity in the village and reportedly hindering the support of the local government units (LGUs) to the typhoon-affected areas.
While verifying the reports, the soldiers encountered about 12 alleged members of Central Negros 1, Komiteng Rehiyon – Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor (KR-NCBS).
The gun battle lasted for five minutes, leaving one rebel dead, and injured two others.
The two wounded rebels, who were among the four captured in the encounter, were transported to Guihulngan City District Hospital, while the cadaver was turned over to Guihulngan City Police Station for proper disposition.
A minor was also turned over to the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Recovered from the site were a KG9 with a steel magazine containing 23 live ammunition, a .45 caliber pistol, a backpack, several ammunition, and other documents.
Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of 303rd Infantry Brigade, commended the residents of Barangay Sandayao for immediately giving information to the troops.
It shows that the Guihulnganons are already fed-up with the terrorist group, he added.