Two of the three fatalities were identified by the Army as Cristina Jacolbe, alias “Chave,” 40, finance officer of Central Negros 1 (CN1), and Ernie Jacolbe, alias “Frezy,” 42, vice commander of Section Guerilla Unit of CN1.
The third fatality was minor and the Army withheld his name.
According to the Army, the slain rebels most likely belong to one family, but no confirmation was made yet.
Troops were patrolling at the hinterland of Barangay Macagahay, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental when they received reports about the presence and extortion activities of the NPA rebels in adjacent Barangay Budlasan.
According to the Army, the slain rebels were allegedly primarily responsible in facilitating the extortion activities in Canlaon City in Negros Oriental and La Castellana and Moises Padilla in Negros Occidental.
The Army also said that they were allegedly involved in atrocities sometime in 2018 and 2019 in Barangay Quintin Remo and Macagahay in Moises Padilla.
Recovered in the encounter site were a KG9 with a magazine, two .45 caliber pistols with two magazines, a .38 caliber revolver, a gauge shotgun, subversive documents, and other personal belongings.
The clash occurred barely a week after the 62nd IB figured in a firefight with the NPA in Barangay Sandayao, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, Wednesday, July 20, that resulted in the neutralization of Pompeo Landesa, an alleged member of Central Negros 1, Komiteng Rehiyon Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor (KR-NCBS).