4 rebels slain in Negros clashes
BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – Four suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA), including an alleged ranking leader, were killed in a series of encounters with members of government security forces in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental on Saturday.
Maj. Ray Tiongson, spokesman for the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, said soldiers from the 79th Infantry Battalion were on patrol in Sitio Pitawa, Barangay Sto. Niño when around 24 rebels shot at them at about 4 p.m.
The soldiers retaliated, resulting in an encounter that lasted for about 35 minutes.
Another clash ensued at around 4:45 p.m. as the Army troops were pursuing the rebels.
Two of the fatalities were identified as Diosdado “Aming†Dacal-dacal, alias “Gim,†“Adonis†and “Marco†and Felix Yanoc. The identities of the two other rebels have yet to be determined as of press time.
Tiongson said Dacal-dacal was a squad leader of NPA’s Sentro Grabidad Platoon-Southeast Front.
Cpl. Melbert Dapilaga, wounded in the left shoulder, was reported to be in stable condition at a hospital in Dumaguete.
Tiongson said two rebels surrendered after the encounter, but he refused to disclose their identities for security reasons.
He said the troops recovered an M-16 Armalite, a handheld radio, a bandolier, and alleged subversive documents from the scene of the encounter.
Lt. Col. Harold Pascua, chief of the Army’s 79th IB, urged the rebels to surrender peacefully as he assured them that their rights would be protected.
– With Alexis Romero
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