A suspected New People’s Army leader was killed in an encounter with government soldiers in Brgy. Trinidad, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, Monday, November 21.
The soldiers went to the area following reports from residents on the presence of armed men, but they were reportedly fired upon by the rebels as they approached.
The Army identified the fatality as Victor Baldonado, alias Rudy, alleged commanding officer of Section Guerrilla Unit 3 (SGU3), Central Negros Front 1(CN1), Komiteng Rehiyon Negros, Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor (KR-NCBS), operating along the tri-boundaries of Guihulngan City and Canlaon City in Negros Oriental and Moises Padilla in Negros Occidental.
Baldonado and his group were allegedly responsible for numerous human rights violations in Negros Island, the Army said.
Soldiers recovered an M-16 rifle with three magazines loaded with 43 rounds of ammunition, a backpack containing personal belongings and accessories.
Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, lauded the Guihulngan residents for their continued support, especially in providing timely information to the troops.*