BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – An encounter between the Philippine Army and New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on Wednesday left two dead, one from each side.
Authorities identified the slain soldier as Corporal Rodney Luces, a member of the Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB).
The slain NPA insurgent’s identity is still unknown.
Private 1st Class Kiel Charles Pama of the 62IB was reportedly wounded.
Officer-in-charge of the Himamaylan City police station, Lieutenant Colonel Norberto Barniso said a platoon of the 62IB was conducting combat operations in the area when they encountered around nine NPA rebels.
The gun-battle lasted several minutes before the insurgents were forced to retreat.
Army’s 3rd Infantry Division spokesperson, Major Cenon Pancito, said both Luces and Pama were immediately evacuated via a helicopter to this city.
They were rushed to the Riverside Medical Center where Luces was eventually declared “dead on arrival”.
Reinforcements from the 94th Infantry Battalion also arrived at the scene, and a second battle ensued in the barangay’s Purok Galaupan where one rebel was killed.
Authorities recovered seven backpacks containing the rebels’ personal items and subversive documents./PN
