BACOLOD CITY – A New People’s Army rebel was killed in encounter with the military in Sitio Pasto, Purok 5, Barangay Basak, Cauayan, Negros Occidental on Monday, July 29.

A NEW People’s Army rebel was killed in a clash with government forces in Barangay Basak, Cauayan, Negros Occidental on Monday, July 29. (Photo courtesy of 15th IB)

The Army 3rd Infantry Division (ID) identified the fatality on Wednesday, July 31, as Ramon Moico Enseniales, alias Art or Bugtong, 64, of Barangay Tambad, Cauayan, a member of the dismantled Southwest Front, Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros Cebu Bohol Siquijor. His identity was confirmed by his wife.

The 15th Infantry Battalion (IB) was conducting community security patrol in the area when they figured in a two-minute clash with the NPA.

The communist rebels withdrew and soldiers recovered a homemade shotgun with eight live ammunition and an empty shell, two hand grenades, three cellular phones, a power bank, subversive documents, and a black sweatshirt printed with “PKP@50.”

No casualties were reported on the government side. Police proceeded to the crime scene to process the remains of the casualty.

Lt. Col. Brian Bagaipo, 15th IB commander, said that “this calls for the attention of NPA rebels to surrender to the government for the sake of themselves, their families, and for the country.”

“While we persist in taking on the remnants of the dismantled front through military operations, we also immerse in communities to help facilitate the surrender of the remaining rebels,” Bagaipo said. 

Forty-two NPA rebels have been neutralized by various units of the 3rd ID in Western and Central Visayas so far this year. 

Twenty-one were from Negros Island and 21 were from Panay. Sixteen were killed in encounters, 24 surrendered, and two were arrested or captured.