BACOLOD City – Two alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in a gun battle with troops of the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (79IB) in Barangay San Isidro, Toboso, Negros Occidental yesterday.
Authorities have yet to identify the two casualties, although they are believed to be remnants of the dismantled Northern Negros Front of the NPA.
Lieutenant Colonel J-jay Javines, spokesperson for the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, said at around 11 a.m. the 79IB received a sighting report of armed individuals in the area of Sitio Mansulao in the said village.
The 79IB immediately sent their troops in the area and a gun battle ensued between the responding army personnel and the eight NPA rebels.
Two of the rebels were killed, while the remaining six fled in different directions leaving behind three high-powered firearms and subversive documents, Javines said.
As of this writing, hot pursuit and clearing operations were ongoing in the area. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
