BACOLOD City – Two suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) died in a gun battle with the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (79IB) in Sitio Nabalas Dos, Barangay Canlusong, E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental on Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 17.
Authorities identified the fatalities as 30-year-old Christian Job Vargas, a resident of the said village, and his live-in partner, 31-year-old Mylene Salgado of Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City.
Lieutenant Colonel J-jay Javines, spokesperson of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), said government troops were patrolling the area following reports from locals about the NPA’s extortion activity there when they encountered around nine armed persons past 5 p.m.
The gun battle lasted for at least 15 minutes until the suspected rebels fled, leaving behind the two casualties.
Javines said the armed group was from the NPA Northern Negros Front, Komiteng Rehiyon – Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor.
The 79IB soldiers recovered from the encounter site six firearms: three M16 rifles, M14 rifle, AR15 assault rifle, and M1 Garand.
Also found were assorted live ammunition, four rifle grenades and the rebels’ personal belongings and subversive documents.
The remains of the casualties have since been turned over to their families.
Javines said the families denied the dead were communist insurgents. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
