BACOLOD City – At least three New People’s Army members were killed while an undetermined number of other rebels were believed wounded in a fierce gun battle with soldiers in Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental.
Initial reports showed the Philippine Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB) encountered around 20 NPA rebels while conducting security operations due to the reports of concerned citizens on the presence of armed men in the village around 2 p.m. on Thursday.
A 30-minute firefight ensued before the rebels backed away as bloodstains were seen in their escape route.
One soldier was killed and two others were wounded. Their names are still withheld.
Operating troops scoured the scene of encounter and initially seized empty shells of firearms and components of improvised anti-personnel landmine.
The 62IB dispatched additional troops to conduct pursuit operations against the communist insurgents./PN
