BACOLOD CITY – A New People’s Army rebel was killed while his comrade was captured in a clash with troops of the Army 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB) in Sitio Malatanglad, Barangay Budlasan, Canlaon City, Negros Oriental on Friday, April 28. The Army identified the slain rebel as Anthony Curson, alias “Miguel,” a member of Central Negros 1. Captured was Leonido Montero, alias “Lanie” and “Dindo,” also a suspected member of Central Negros 1, according to the Army. Soldiers were responding to information on the presence of an armed group in the area when they engaged five NPA rebels in a five-minute firefight. Recovered from the encounter site were two .45 caliber pistols with two magazines and two sling bags. No casualty was reported on the government side. According to the 62nd IB, Montero was arrested on arrest warrants for murder, illegal possession of explosives, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, violation of Republic Act (RA) 8294 or the Unlawful Manufacture, Sale, Acquisition, Disposition, or Possession of Firearms or Ammunition or Instruments Used or Intended to be Used in the Manufacture of Firearms or Ammunition, and RA 7166 or the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines, issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 64 in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental. The 62nd IB said that they are continuously intensifying its focused military operations to stop the atrocities of the remaining members of Central Negros 1 to sustain the peace and development in Negros Island. In his message, Major Gen. Marion Sison, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division (ID), lauded the operating troops for responding immediately to information from locals on the whereabouts of the NPA rebels. “The outcome of the recent encounters is a clear indicator that the NPA can no longer mislead the people of Negros,” Sison said.