BACOLOD CITY – Two New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in a clash with the Army 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB) in Sitio Upper Binataan, Barangay Quintin Remo, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental on Monday, Nov. 28.
The Army identified the fatalities as Johnhilll Sarsa, alias ‘’Mark,’’ of Barangay Planas, and Dalmacio dela Torre, alias ‘’Delmar,’’ of Barangay Trinidad, both in Guilhulngan City, Negros Oriental.
According to the 62nd IB, Sarsa was a political officer of the Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda (SYP) Platoon Lenovo, Central Negros Front 1 (CN1), Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor (KR-NCBS) of the NPA while Dela Torre was a member of CN1, KR-NCBS.
Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde), said that troops clashed with at least 15 NPA rebels at around 7 a.m. The firefight lasted for about 40 minutes.
No casualties were reported on the government side, Pasaporte added.
Troops recovered from the encounter site high-powdered firearms such as AK47, two M16 rifles, M203 grenade launcher, M14 rifle, and .357 caliber revolver with ammunition, three magazines for AK47, seven magazines for M16, two rifle grenades, 40mm high explosive ammunition, two bandoliers, two NPA flags, medical supplies, subversive documents, and personal belongings.
Pasaporte said the Army was conducting security operation in the area following the killing of former barangay tanod Jovanie Omboy on Nov. 20 in Barangay Puso, La Castellana, Negros Occidental, situated at the boundary of the two municipalities.
The NPA claimed killing Omboy for being a member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit. But police said that Omboy was only mistaken as a CAFGU.
Pasaporte believes that these NPA rebels were behind the death of Omboy, 43, of Barangay Montilla, Moises Padilla.
Pursuit operation against the fleeing communist guerillas is ongoing.