BACOLOD CITY – Two suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed while a soldier was injured in separate clashes in Negros island on Maundy Thursday, April 14.

In Negros Occidental, the 94th Infantry Battalion (IB), conducting combat operations after receiving reports on alleged extortion activities in Sitio San Juan, Barangay Caradio-an, Himamaylan City, exchanged gunfire with about 10 unidentified armed men in the area in a clash that left one rebel dead.

According to Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde), a certain “Johnny”, an alleged squad leader of Squad 1, Sentro De Gabridad (SDG) Platoon of Central Negros 2 (CN2), Komiteng Rehiyon -Negros Cebu Bohol Siquijor (KR-NCBS), died in the firefight.

Pasaporte said that a soldier was slightly wounded in the firefight and was already discharged from a hospital.

Recovered from the encounter site were two magazines of .45 caliber, a hand grenade, a short magazine of M16, a tablet, medical kit, and a backpack.

Pasaporte said the group which the military encountered in Sitio San Juan was part of a bigger group of rebels who ambushed some policemen in Binalbagan town in February wherein two policemen were wounded.

The observance of Holy Week did not stop the Army in its anti-insurgency campaign, knowing full well the rebels would take advantage of the holidays to carry out their extortion activities.

Pasaporte said that rebels involved in the ambush probably split up when they were tracked down by the military after the incident.

There had been several encounters in the city since last month, resulting in the death of four rebels, including a high-ranking leader and his wife.

Pasaporte thanked the people of the said village for their cooperation, while commending the 94th IB for their vigilance and timely action on the said report.

Later that day, another brief firefight ensued as troops belonging to 11th Infantry Brigade and responding to same report on extortion activities chanced upon a group of rebels in Sitio Tulong, Barangay Enrique Villanueva, Sibulan, Negros Orriental.

One rebel died in the firefight.

The Army discovered the body of the NPA near the creek at the said place. Two other members of the NPA were also reportedly wounded in the encounter based on the blood stains seen in their escape route.

Recovered from the encounter site were an M14 rifle, an M16A1 rifle with scope, a KG-9 rifle, three rifle grenade, five improvised explosive devices (IEDs), 10 ammunition of 12-gauge shotgun, three magazines of M16, an M14 magazine, a KG-9 magazine, four M203 ammunition, various subversive documents, and 12 backpacks.

In his statement, Maj. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, commander of 3rd Infantry Division, said they will still conduct relentless combat operations against the NPA, and at the same time continue with the relief operation efforts to help those affected by Tropical Depression “Agaton.”

Arevalo also noted that the rebels’ frequent movements are connected with the upcoming election on May 9.

"There is a high possibility that they are trying to intensify their extortion scheme and to also stage attacks, days before the May 9 election. But we, together with support of the communities and government agencies will not stop to spoil their plans and to hunt them down,” Arevalo said.