BACOLOD CITY – A soldier died in an encounter between the Army 11th Infantry Battalion (IB) and New People’s Army (NPA) in Sitio Taleo, Barangay Milagrosa, Santa Catalina, Negros Oriental on Thursday, August 24.
The Army 3rd Infantry Division (ID) has yet to reveal the name of the slain soldier.
Lt. Col. J-jay Javines, head of Division Public Affairs Office (DPAO), said soldiers were conducting community support program (CSP) in the area when they received information that unidentified armed men were extorting food from residents.
Javines said soldiers engaged at least 10 NPA rebels, believed to be remnants of the dismantled Southeast Guerilla Front of the Komiteng Rehiyon Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor (KR-NCBS), in a five-minute firefight.
Recovered from the encounter site were two .45 caliber pistols, three magazines, 11 bullets, a hand grenade, and personal belongings.
Javines said that the NPA was trying to recover their strength in the area. Pursuit operation is ongoing.
In a statement, Major Gen. Marion Sison, 3rd ID commander, said “this incident will not dampen the spirit of the military troopers, but will further serve as our motivation to aggressively pursue the remaining members of the NPA and bring them into the bar of justice or otherwise, to their grave.”
Brig. Gen. Joey Escanillas, commander of 302nd Infantry Brigade (IBde), said that their comrade offered the ultimate sacrifice to free the people from the menace of the continuing threat from the NPA.
This adversity is an opportunity that paved a way for the Army to deliver a more refined effort in defeating the enemy of the state, he added.