BACOLOD CITY -- An alleged member of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in an encounter with the 15th Infantry Battalion (IB) at Sitio Bajay, Barangay Caliling, Cauayan, Negros Occidental on Tuesday.
The Army identified the fatality as 62-year old Celso Tribunalo alias ‘Larry/Jimlo/Greg,’ an alleged leader of Squad 2, Platoon 2, Sentro De Gabridad (SDG), South West Front (SWF), and a resident of Sitio Ulomhon, Barangay Yao-Yao.
According to the Army, the firefight that lasted for about 15 minutes erupted as the military proceeded to the area because of the presence of unidentified armed men.
The rebels fled, leaving their slain cadre.
Military troopers recovered an M4 Rifle with magazines, ammunition, other war materiel, and personal belongings.
In a statement, Maj. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, commander of 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), commended the support of the residents for giving accurate information to the troopers.
Arevalo also lauded the operating troops in preventing the NPA rebel from carrying out their atrocities not only in Negros Island, but also in other parts of Western and Central Visayas.
"We are saddened by another life wasted because of the senseless armed revolution of the NPA terrorists," Arevalo said as he called again on other members of the terrorist group to surrender now while they still have a chance.
The Army had figured in a series of encounters with the NPA in Himamaylan City in March.