4 NPA rebels killed in Negros Occidental clash

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 2, 2023): 4 NPA rebels killed in Negros Occidental clash (By Nanette Guadalquiver)

CASUALTIES. The bodies of the four New People's Army rebels who died in a clash with troops from the Philippine Army's 94th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on Wednesday (March 1, 2023). The soldiers also recovered high-powered firearms during the clearing operation. (Photo courtesy of 3rd Infantry Division, Philippine Army)

BACOLOD CITY – The Philippine Army has declared another victory in its anti-insurgency operation in central Negros with the death of four Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) rebels during an encounter in Barangay Carabalan in Himamaylan, Negros Occidental on Wednesday.

In a statement on Thursday, the 3rd Infantry Division headed by Brig. Gen. Marion Sison said the NPA "suffered a huge debacle" in the latest clash, which came five months after a series of encounters took place in the same village.

"We will not allow you to continue harming our people. Expect relentless and intensified military operations in the coming days and weeks," said Sison, stressing that government forces are determined to protect Negrenses from the atrocities of the NPA.

On Wednesday morning, troops of the 94th Infantry Battalion (94IB) engaged around 20 communist rebels in a 20-minute firefight, which injured a soldier and claimed the lives of four NPA fighters, who were not yet identified as of Thursday afternoon.

The troops responded to the reported presence of armed men who were asking for food and supplies from the villagers.

During the clearing operation, the troops recovered two M16 rifles attached to M203 grenade launchers, two AK47 assault rifles, a hand grenade, four rounds of M203 grenade launcher ammunition, four M16 magazines, seven AK47 magazines, and assorted ammunition.

Other items included backpacks, a compass, two flashlights, food items, personal belongings, subversive documents and a stack of extortion letters.

"We laud the collaboration of the 94IB with the local populace that resulted in a major setback for the CPP-NPA in Negros," Sison said.

He urged the remaining NPA rebels to surrender peacefully.

"Regain your future and avoid death like what happened to your comrades during an encounter in Barangay Carabalan," he added.

The clash displaced at least 181 families in five sitios, who were evacuated to the village covered court.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1196455