ILOILO CITY —Two New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in encounters with the military in Barangay Kamansi, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental on Wednesday, Nov. 30.
Lt. Col. Magno Mapalad, acting spokesman of the 3rd Infantry Division (ID) of the Philippine Army, said troops from the 47th Infantry Battalion (IB) and 94th IB first encountered communist guerillas at 2:10 a.m.
Another gunbattle erupted later, lasting around 10 minutes, meters away from the first encounter site.
Recovered from the fatalities were KG-9 firearm with ammunition, two .45 caliber pistol with magazines and ammunition, two hand grenades, and subversive documents.
The encounters occurred days after two NPA rebels were also killed in a gunfight with the 62nd IB in Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental.
On Nov. 21, an NPA rebel was killed in a clash im Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.
For the 3rd ID hierarchy, the successive deaths of the NPA rebels in Negros Island is a manifestation of the demise of power of the armed group of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
“The successive debacle of the NPA terrorist in Negros is a clear manifestation that they are losing grip and influence over their claimed mass base. They are now on the run, and their movement is now limited, for Negrenses are very vigilant in reporting their presence and activities,” said Major Gen. Benedict Arevalo, 3rd ID commander.