ANOTHER New People’s Army (NPA) rebel was killed in a firefight with government troops in Negros Oriental last Sunday, the military reported yesterday.
This brought to 10 the number of NPA rebels slain in skirmishes with Army soldiers on Saturday and Sunday, according to the military’s Visayas Command (Viscom) based in Cebu City.
In a statement, Viscom said the latest encounter occurred in Barangay Caliling in Cauayan town last Saturday afternoon during an operation conducted by the troops from the 15th Infantry Battalion.
The clash resulted in the death of one of the rebels and the recovery of a cal. 45 pistol, two magazines, an anti-personnel mine, and rebel documents.
On Saturday morning, five NPA rebels were killed in a clash with soldiers in Moises Padilla town in Negros Oriental. It also led to the recovery of seven firearms, two rifle grenades, and other war materiel.
On Sunday morning, soldiers also clashed with rebels in Guihulngan City, also in Negros Oriental, leading to the death of four rebels, the capture of another and surrender of one more, and the recovery of seven firearms, four rifle grenades, 15 magazines, assorted ammunition, an improvised explosive device (IED) and several IED components.
Viscom commander Lt. Gen. Benedict Arevalo said he expects NPA rebels to surrender following the NPA’s successive setbacks.
“With these series of major losses suffered by the communist NPA terrorist, we expect more of their comrades to surface and shed light among themselves before they suffer the same fate,” said Arevalo.
