2 NPA rebels killed in southern Negros clash with troops

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 18, 2021): 2 NPA rebels killed in southern Negros clash with troops (By Nanette Guadalquiver)

RECOVERED. The firearms, ammunition and explosive as well as other items recovered by troops of the Philippine Army’s 15th Infantry Battalion after an encounter with New People’s Army terrorists in Barangay Bulwangan, Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental on Saturday (April 17, 2021). The 40-minute clash left two communist-terrorists dead. (Photo courtesy of 15IB, Philippine Army)

Two communist-terrorists were killed in a firefight with troops of the Philippine Army’s 15th Infantry Battalion (15IB) in Barangay Bulwangan, Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental on Saturday.

A 15IB report released on Sunday identified the fatalities as alias “Michael/ Nonoy” and alias “Ken-ken”, believed to be fighters of Platoon 3, Southwest Front of the New People’s Army’s (NPA) Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor (KR-NCBS).

Photos showed that the cadavers were brought to Porras Funeral Homes located in the southern Negros town’s Purok IV, Barangay 1.

In a statement, Lt. Col. Erwin Cariño, commanding officer of the 15IB based in Barangay Tiling, Cauayan, said timely and accurate information provided by the locals enabled the government troops to act on the reported presence of the NPA rebels.

“The encounter is a clear result of the collaborative efforts between the government and the community,” Cariño said, adding that it also manifests the success and gains of the Army’s community support programs, and the expressed desire of the community to be free from the communist-terrorist group’s influence.

He also extended his condolences to the families of the two NPA terrorists who “lost their lives fighting for a lost cause”.

“With the help of the local government of Hinoba-an, we can assure assistance and decent burial of the deceased,” the Army official said.

After the 40-minute clash in Purok Yuring, Sitio Dash 7, soldiers recovered two .45 caliber pistols with magazines and ammunition, a hand grenade, extortion letters, subversive documents, cellular phones, and personal belongings. No casualties were recorded on the part of the government forces.

The Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the NPA, are listed as a terror group by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1137190