9 NPAs dead in Negros clashes – military

From the Manila Bulletin (May 21, 2023): 9 NPAs dead in Negros clashes – military (By MARTIN SADONGDONG)

AT A GLANCE

• Nine suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in a series of armed encounters with government troops in the Negros Island. T
• The neutralized communist rebels were members of the NPA’s Komiteng Rehiyon Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor (KR NCBS).
• Four rebels were killed in a 20-minute clash between members of the Philippine Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB) and NPA’s KR NCBS in Sitio Cambawgon, Brgy. Trinidad, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental on May 21.
• Five more NPAs died in separate clashes in Brgy. Quentin Remo, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental on Saturday, May 20.

Nine suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in a series of armed encounters with government troops in the Negros Island, the military said on Sunday, May 21.

(Photo: Visayas Command, Philippine Army)

Lt. Col. Israel Galorio, chief of Visayas Command’s (VISCOM) public information office, said the neutralized communist rebels were members of the NPA’s Komiteng Rehiyon Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor (KR NCBS).

Their complete identities have yet to be determined.

A report from the VISCOM said that four rebels were killed in a 20-minute clash between members of the Philippine Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB) and NPA’s KR NCBS in Sitio Cambawgon, Brgy. Trinidad, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental. The encounter occurred around 5:10 a.m. on Sunday.

One NPA fighter was also arrested while another one surrendered during the operation, Galorio said.

Meanwhile, a separate VISCOM report showed that five NPAs died in three clashes in Brgy. Quentin Remo, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental on Saturday, May 20.

The first firefight erupted at 5:05 a.m. between members of the 62IB and NPA KR NCBS.

“With only a few minutes of interval, the terrorist group was entangled in three clashes with the government troops at different sitios in Brgy. Quintin Remo,” Galorio shared.

Lt. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, commander of VISCOM, said the neutralization of the rebels was a result of their relentless pursuit against the KR NCBS, particularly the Central Negros 1 (CN1), which they consider as a “weakened” guerilla front of the NPA.

“The series of debacles suffered by the CPP [Communist Party of the Philippines] – NPA is the result of our active convergence with the people and the local government units. This is a clear manifestation of the strong bond that we have in the fight against terrorism,” he said.

“This is never going to stop. We cannot allow these peace spoilers to further sow fear and terror, as our operations will continue without any let up. We will continue to push with our focused military operation and push harder until justice is served for the atrocities that the terrorist group has committed to our people, as we are determined on ending the local communist armed conflict in the region the soonest possible time,” he added.

Seized during the encounters were one M4 Firebird rifle, three M16 rifles, one cal. 30 firearm, three cal. 45 pistols, two Cal .38 pistols, one UZI machine pistol, one KG9 machine pistol, two homemade shotguns, assorted magazines and live ammunition, eight rifle grenades, an improvised explosive device, several IED components, food supply, medical paraphernalia, and other personal belongings.

“We never take joy in taking the lives of our own people. As such, we once again call upon the remnants of the CPP-NPA in the region to lay down your arms and return to the folds of the law. Heed the call of the government while you still can,” Arevalo said.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/5/20/9-np-as-dead-in-negros-clashes-military