An alleged New People’s Army (NPA) rebel was killed and weapons were seized by the Army in an encounter at Sitio Mambog, Brgy Planas, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, on Saturday, October 29, during Tropical Storm “Paeng”.
The Army said the 62nd Infantry “Unifier” Battalion troops while on alert to conduct humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations were informed by typhoon-affected evacuating residents of the presence of the rebels.
They immediately responded to the information and encountered about 20 members of the NPA.
As the troops approached the area they were fired upon by the rebels and a 30-minute gun battle ensued, the Army said.
While conducting pursuit operations another armed encounter ensued between the government soldiers and rebels in Sitio Ilihan, Brgy Buenavista, and Guihulngan City.
One alleged rebel, who was not identified, was killed and recovered were a 12-guage shotgun, .45 caliber pistol, a hand grenade, two Baofeng Radios, two backpacks with personal belongings and subversive documents, the Army said.
More rebel casualties are possible based on the heavy blood stains seen in the encounter site, it added.
The 62IB called on the NPA rebels, especially those who were wounded, to lay down their arms and return to the folds of the law so they can be treated and receive Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program benefits and other livelihood programs from the Guihulngan City Task Force- End Local Communist Armed Conflict.*