By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – A suspected member of the New People’s Army (NPA) died while two others were wounded in a clash with the Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB) at Sitio Manlibod, Barangay Sandayao, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental last Saturday.
The encounter happened after the Army received reports of an armed group allegedly conducting extortion activities in the village and hindering the support of the local government units (LGUs) to the typhoon-affected areas.
The Army was also in the area to inspect and distribute financial assistance and medicines to all 24 Civilian Active Auxiliary (CAA) patrol bases and to assess the damages of Super Typhoon Odette.
While verifying the reports, military troopers encountered around 12 alleged members of Central Negros 1, Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor (KR-NCBS). The gun battle lasted for five minutes.
Recovered from the site were a KG9 with a steel magazine with 23 live ammunitions, a .45-caliber pistol, a backpack, assorted ammunitions, and other documents.
Two suspected rebels were also arrested.
