BACOLOD City – Elements of the Philippine Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB) and the New People’s Army (NPA) clashed at Hacienda Gomez in Barangay Sag-ang, La Castellana, Negros Occidental yesterday morning, Jan. 17.
Two alleged rebels were killed in the gun battle.
Authorities have yet to identify the fatalities as of press time.
Based on information released by the 62IB, they sent troops into the area after receiving information that the NPA rebels were conducting recruitment and extortion activities among the residents.
A three-minute gun battle then ensued between the government troopers and a five-man rebel group, all of whom are believed to be remnants of the NPA’s Central Negros 1.
Three of the remaining rebels were forced to retreat, leaving behind the remains of their two comrades.
Authorities seized an AR15 assault rifle, a homemade shotgun, a caliber .45 pistol, and assorted ammunition.
Also recovered were medical paraphernalia and two backpacks containing subversive documents, as well as the rebels’ personal belongings.
The 62IB believes that the NPA rebels who have fled have likely retreated to the mountainous areas of neighboring Moises Padilla town and Guihulngan City in Negros Oriental. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
