Cop injured in encounter, war materials recovered

From the Visayan Daily Star (Feb 9, 2019): Cop injured in encounter, war materials recovered

Armed skirmishes between government forces and the New People’s Army rebels in Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental and Mabinay in Negros Oriental, yesterday led to injuries of a policeman, and recovery of assorted war materials, as well as the arrest of a suspected NPA member.

Police Officer 3 Shaun Francis Nelmida suffered minor injuries after an encounter with suspected New People’s Army rebels at 1 a.m. yesterday in Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental.

Troopers of the 605th Regional Mobile Force Battalion led by Senior Inspector Peter John Celino responded to reports of the presence of NPA rebels in Sitio Kalipas, Brgy. Igmaya-an, Salvador Benedicto, that triggered a gunbattle for five minutes.
Supt. Joem Malong, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office 6, yesterday said that those encountered by police mobile group troopers were believed to be the advance security team of the main group of the NPA rebels.

Nelmida sustained injuries from a blast from his rifle during the encounter. He is now being treated for his injuries at a private hospital in Bacolod City.

Supt. Joem Malong, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office 6, said yesterday that a suspected NPA member was arrested during pursuit operations.

The arrest of the alleged NPA member, whose identity has not been released yet by the police, also yielded a 22 caliber rifle and binoculars.

Troopers of the 15th Infantry Battalion also recovered assorted war materials, including an M16 assault rifle with 11 magazines containing ammunition, an anti-personnel mine, a rifle grenade and an ICOM radio after an encounter with 10 suspected NPA rebels in Sitio Baliw, Brgy. Bagtic, Mabinay, Negros Oriental.

The gunbattle lasted for about 30 minutes and the rebels fled in various directions, leaving behind the explosives, assault rifle and its ammunition, subversive documents and personal belongings.

No casualty was reported on the government side and troops are still in pursuit of fleeing communist rebels they had encountered in Mabinay town as of this time.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2019/February/09/topstory6.htm