By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – A soldier and a suspected member of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed while another soldier was wounded in two separate clashes at Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental yesterday.
Killed was Corporal Rodney Luces of Alimodian, Iloilo, according to Captain Cenon Pancito III, spokesperson of Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (ID).
The Army has yet to release the names of the wounded soldier and the slain rebel.
Pancito said the troopers of 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB) engaged in a clash with at least nine unidentified armed persons around 9:20 a.m. at Sitio Cunalom.
The team was conducting military operations in response to reports on the alleged presence of NPA members in the village.
Pancito said the area has been reported as the final defense area of the rebels.
“May mga reports kasi na pag maipit sila, doon sila napupunta,” he added.
“Advantageous sa kanila kasi well-versed sila sa lugar, kaya we’re doing military operations to free the community from the influence of the rebels,” Pancito said.
The firefight lasted for about 10 minutes that resulted in one soldier killed in action, while the other was wounded. They were evacuated from the scene via helicopter.
Pancito said the wounded soldier is now stable.
After an hour, another firefight happened at Purok Galaupan around 10:10 a.m. that resulted in the death of an alleged NPA member.
Military troopers recovered seven backpacks with personal belongings.
Pancito said they are coordinating with the local government unit and the police to look for the family of the slain rebel for his decent burial.
