BY Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
An alleged insurgent from the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed following a gun battle with soldiers from the Philippine Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion (94IB) at Sitio Bugo in Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on Wednesday.
Philippine Army 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) spokesperson Major Cenon Pancito III, said the 94IB responded after receiving reports from local residents that around seven armed men were spotted in the vicinity.
A violent encounter then took place around 3:30 p.m. whih went on for 10 minutes before the rebel fighters withdrew to Cabadiangan creek. An M1 Carbine rifle, two .357 caliber pistols, and other personal belongings were recovered from the remains of the rebels.
Pancito said they have identified the dead insurgents, although he requested their names remain confidential in the meantime. The remains have also been handed over to the Himamaylan City Police, and the Local Government Unit./PN