Negros Reds, soldiers clash

From Panay News (Apr 18, 2022): Negros Reds, soldiers clash (By DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA)

Two consecutive clashes between rebels and government troops in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental and in the town of Sibulan in Negros Oriental left two New People’s Army (NPA) fighters dead and one Philippine Army soldier wounded.


The encounters both happened on Holy Thursday.

The first one was in Barangay Caradio-an, Himamaylan City. One rebel died. This was also where a soldier of the Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion (94IB) was wounded, according to 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) spokesperson Captain Kim Apitong.

The slain rebel was yet to be identified as of press time.

The wounded soldier, on the other hand, was treated at a hospital in Bacolod City.

According to Apitong, the encounter started at around 5 a.m. in Sitio San Juan, Barangay Caradio-an. The 94IB troops were in the area in response to reports that residents spotted armed individuals in their village.

The gunfight lasted for some 10 minutes. The rebels were forced to retreat.

Government forces recovered two .45 pistol magazines, one short magazine for an M16 assault rifle, a hand grenade, a medical kit, and a backpack containing personal belongings.

Meanwhile, in the town of Sibulan, Negros Oriental, soldiers of the 11th Infantry Battalion (11IB) engaged in a 15-minute gun battle with insurgents in Sitio Tulong, Barangay Enrique Villanueva.

Apitong said the gun fight ensued around 8 a.m. Government troops were in the village in response to reports rebel extortion activities there.

Around 2 p.m. or six hours after the clash, 11IB troops discovered the remains of a man wearing a green NPA uniform and boots.

They also recovered an M14 rifle, an M16 assault rifle, and a KG-9 machine pistol.

Also recovered from the encounter site were three rifle grenades, five anti-personnel mines, four 40mm M203 grenade ammunition, and assorted bullets.

https://www.panaynews.net/negros-reds-soldiers-clash/