NPA rebel killed in Negros clash

From the Manila Times (Jul 2, 2022): NPA rebel killed in Negros clash (By Christian Crow Maghanoy)

A MEMBER of the New People's Army (NPA) was killed in an encounter with government troops in Negros Oriental on Friday, a ranking military official said on Saturday.

Maj. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) of the Philippine Army, identified the slain communist rebel as Cristanto Estrabela Lagradilla alias Locsin, a member of Squad 2, South East Front (SEF).

He said the government troops were conducting combat operations in response to the information given by the locals in the presence of NPA rebels in Sitio Tamusi, Barangay Talalak, Negros Oriental on Friday.

A firefight ensued between the troops of the 11th Infantry Lapulapu Battalion and five or so members of SEF, Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor that lasted for about 8 minutes.

Seized from the encounter site were a KG9 rifle, a magazine of KG9 with 20 rounds of ammunition, a magazine of M16 rifle with eight rounds of ammunition, a magazine of cal.45 pistol with three rounds ammunition, a bandolier, two baofeng radios, a backpack, and NPA subversive documents.

READ: 2 NPA rebels slain in clash

Arevalo said the death of Lagradilla should serve as an eye-opener to the remaining members of the NPA to surrender and return to the folds of the law.

"With the cooperation of the communities and the collaborative efforts of other government agencies, we are positive that we can sustain the peace and development in this part of the region," Arevalo said.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/07/03/news/regions/npa-rebel-killed-in-negros-clash/1849570