‘Rebel’ slain in Army, NPA clash in Neg. Or.

From the Visayan Daily Star (Nov 26): ‘Rebel’ slain in Army, NPA clash in Neg. Or.

A suspected rebel was killed when government troops clashed with members of the New People’s Army in La Libertad, Negros Oriental, at around 5:30 p.m. Sunday.

Capt. Cresencio Gargar of the 302nd Infantry Brigade based in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental, said the fatality has not yet been identified. Soldiers were also able to recover a carbine, a military backpack, empty shells of various calibers, and subversive documents at the encounter site.

He said troops from the Bravo Company of the Philippine Army’s 11th Infantry Battalion, led by 2Lt. Jerome Mandocdoc, were on security patrol when they encountered around 10 armed men, believed to be members of the NPA Larangang Guerilla 1, Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, in Barangay Pitogo, about 36 kms. away from the town.

Brig. Gen. Francisco Patrimonio, 302nd Brigade commander, said the security patrol is part of the Army’s operation against the local insurgents to prevent them from conducting atrocities against military or civilian targets or vital installations.

He said the soldiers received reports from residents about the presence of armed men, allegedly planning to conduct tactical offensive, or to ambush government troopers in the barangay.

Gargar said the troops were approaching the barangay when they were fired at by the suspected rebels. They returned fire and this lasted for about 10 minutes before the rebels fled, he added.

It was earlier reported that the NPA in the Visayas had declared a unilateral ceasefire because of the devastation from super-typhoon “Yolanda” in the region.

Gargar said reports from military sources in the area showed that some NPA groups are consolidating for a possible tactical offensive against troops, especially Citizen Armed Auxiliary detachments deployed in the hinterland barangays of Guihulngan City.

He said a pursuit operation is ongoing and more troops were deployed to the encounter site as reinforcement. The Army is also coordinating with the Philippine National Police Scene of the Crime Operatives for the identification of the slain rebel.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2013/November/26/negor1.htm