The Philippine Army has identified three alleged New People’s Arm-Communist Party of the Philippines (NPA-CPP) rebels killed in two encounters in Negros Island this week.
Dionisio Baloy, 67, and Bernard Torres, 56, were killed in an encounter in Brgy. Sag-ang, La Castellana, Negros Occidental, on Wednesday, January 17, and Edmar Pat Solano in Brgy. Milagrosa, Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental on Thursday, January 18, the 3rd Infantry Division reported.
Baloy and Torres are residents of Guinhulngan City, Negros Oriental, the 3ID report said.
Solano, who was killed in a clash with the 11th Infantry Battalion in Sta. Catalina, was identified to be a member of Squad 1 of the NPA’s South East Front, Komiteng Rehiyon – Negros Cebu Bohol Siquijor.
The cadavers of the victims were turned over to their families on Thursday.
Maj. Gen. Marion Sison, 3ID commander, expressed his condolences to the families who lost their relatives in the recent encounters.
“I strongly urge the remaining members of the CNTs to consider surrendering and embracing the government’s program before it is too late, ensuring that you do not face the same fate as your comrades”, Sison said.
“Let us collectively work towards a peaceful resolution for the benefit of all”, he added.
La Castellana Mayor Rhummyla Mangilimutan on Friday appealed to everyone to unite to prevent the rebels from returning to Brgy. Sag-ang and the rest of her municipality.
“Let’s be vigilant, and protect our community to maintain our peace and development,” the mayor said.*