BACOLOD City – Two suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in an encounter with military troops at Sitio Agpapatao, Barangay Binobohan, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.
The slain rebels were identified as Edgar Bonifacio and Randy Canumay, both residents of the said village. They were alleged members of the NPA’s Special Partisan Unit (Sparu) tagged in the killing of civilians in the cities of Guihulngan and Canlaon.
Philippine Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion commander, Lieutenant Colonel Egberto Dacoscos, said their unit – along with the 94th Infantry Battalion Alpha Company – were sent Friday to the area after residents complained of harassment and extortion from the rebels.
While the troops were approaching the area, about 10 armed men reportedly fired at them, forcing them to retaliate. The firefight lasted for about 12 minutes, leaving two casualties.
The troops recovered during their clearing operation were two .45-caliber pistols, a .38-caliber pistol, four magazines loaded with live ammunition, improvised shotguns, and several subversive documents.
Dacoscos said the two casualties were part of the group that continuously threatens the people who do not cooperate with them. Additional troops were dispatched in the area to conduct pursuit operations against communist insurgents.
Following the incident, Dacoscos again urged NPA rebels to surrender as they will not stop hunt them.
“Through the ‘whole-of nation approach,’ I am encouraging the people of Guihulngan City as well as the whole of Negros that it is now time we work together against the NPA,” he added./PN
