By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – Two alleged rebels were killed in an encounter at Sitio Payranan, Barangay Pinggot, Ilog town on April 24, 2021.
The latest clash happened on the heels of the deaths of two other suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in a clash with military troopers in Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental on April 17.
Troopers of the Army’s 15th Infantry Battalion (IB) were conducting a pursuit and clearing operation after the Hinoba-an encounter when they received reports from the local residents about the alleged wounded rebel personalities involved in the previous clash.
The soldiers reportedly encountered about 10 unidentified armed members of Platoon 3 Southwest Front of Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor (KR-NCBS). The firefight lasted for about 40 minutes.
Recovered from the encounter site were a Colt AR15 M16 rifle, a .45 caliber pistol, a homemade 12-gauge shotgun, an anti-personnel mine, three short magazines, assorted live ammunition, subversive documents, and five backpacks.
Lieutenant Colonel Erwin Cariño, 15th IB commander, said the encounter signified the declining influence and access of the NPAs in the communities.
“Slowly, we could feel the assurance and full support of the masses,” he added.
Meanwhile, Colonel Leonardo Peña, commander of 302nd Infantry Brigade (IBde), commended the relentless efforts of the troopers for the series of engagements with the NPAs in their area of operations.
He also recognized the collaborative participation of the community from Barangay Pinggot for the accurate and timely information that they provided to the soldiers.
