Two members of the New People’s Army (PNA) and a soldier
were killed while another government trooper was injured during a clash Friday
morning at Sitio Bugtong Lubi, Barangay Damutan in Hinobaan, the southernmost
town of Negros Occidental
The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division identified the slain
soldier as Corporal Jonathan Egaran.
The wounded, Corporal Melbin Legaspi, is being treated in a
hospital and is now in stable condition.
The identities of the two slain rebels are still being
determined as of press time, the 3rd ID said.
Col. Francisco Delfin, commander of 303rd Infantry Brigade
which now has jurisdiction of the Negros Island Region, said the encounter took
place while a team of 79th Infantry Battalion troopers led by Second Lt. Alex
Bunagan were conducting Bayanihan Team activities at about 7:40 a.m.
Lt. Col. Harold Anthony Pascua, commanding officer of 79th
IB said their troops “encountered the remnants of the NPA bandits following the
report of the residents on the presence of lawless armed elements in their
community.”
About 12 rebels engaged in a firefight with the Army
soldiers, who eventually recovered the bodies of the two rebels along with an
M16 baby armalite assault rifle.
The two Army soldiers were already given medical attention.
Earlier this week, 79th IB troopers also engaged in armed
clashes with NPA rebels, particularly on Sunday and Wednesday, in Barangay
Gatuslao, Candoni.
An NPA recruit identified as Fred Casipong was captured by
Army soldiers, but he was released for humanitarian consideration after undergoing
investigations and medical examinations.
Delfin said security defenses of military units in Negros
Occidental have been strengthened as the 303rd Brigade has intensified its
operations in the hinterlands of southern Negros
in the wake of the recent clashes and other atrocities of the NPA.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=837115
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