Three New People’s Army rebels were killed and four were injured, including a high raking NPA leader and a policeman, in an encounter in Barangay Tabu, Ilog in Negros Occidental at about 7:20 a.m. Tuesday, PLt. Col. Ryan Manongdo, 6th Special Action Force Battalion commander, said.
One surrendered and nine other persons found near the encounter site are being held for questioning, Manongdo said.
He identified the injured rebel leader as Nilda Natander Bertolano secretary of the NPA Southwest Front who sustained bullet wounds in the thigh and arm.
The injured policeman, who was wearing a bullet proof vest, is out of danger, Manongdo said.
He said his troops and the 2nd Negros Occidental Provincial Force Company went to Barangay Tabu, which is a remote area, after receiving information of a mass gathering of NPA rebels.
On arriving in the area they engaged about 20 plus rebels in a one hour and 10-minute battle, Manongdo said.
They have yet to identify the slain rebels and their two other injured companions, Manongdo said.
The police recovered four M-16 rifles from the scene of the encounter, he added.*