BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – A week after the deadly clash between government forces and the New People’s Army (NPA) in Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental, another clash transpired, this time in the town of Ilog. Two rebels died.
Lieutenant Colonel Erwin Cariño, Philippine Army’s 15th Infantry Battalion (15IB) commander, however said they have yet to identify the fatalities.
Saturday’s encounter was in Barangay Pinggot, Ilog. It was the same group of rebels — consisting about 10 individuals — that the 15IB had a skirmish in Hinoba-an.
The NPA group belonged to the Platoon 3 Southwest Front of Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor (KR-NCBS).
The gun battle lasted for at least 40 minutes, Cariño said, until the NPA insurgents retreated leaving behind two dead comrades.
The 15IB, meanwhile, reported no casualties on it side.
Government troops recovered an M16 assault rifle, a .45-caliber pistol, a 12-gauge homemade shotgun, an anti-personnel mine, three short magazines, assorted live ammunition, subversive documents, and five backpacks.
Cariño said this latest encounter showed the declining influence of the rebels in communities.
“We call on the remaining NPAs to surrender now while you still have time,” he stressed. “We know that you are tired and weary in fighting a lost and abused cause.”
He assured the insurgents that the government “is sincere and always ready to assist you if you return to the folds of the law and live normal and productive lives.”
The encounter in Hinoba-an also left two rebels dead./PN
