3 troopers slain in Negros clash

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Three Army troopers, including an officer, were killed while four others were wounded in an encounter with suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental yesterday morning.

The identities of the slain soldiers were withheld until their families are notified.

Soldiers of the Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion were conducting patrol to secure the distribution of the social amelioration program cash grants to the beneficiaries when they encountered around 20 armed men in Sitio Tugas in Barangay Carabalan, according to Col. Inocencio Pasaporte, chief of the Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade.

The rebels reportedly detonated an improvised explosive device and hurled grenades at the soldiers during the firefight that lasted 30 minutes.

A manhunt has been launched for the rebels who fled taking with them their wounded comrades.

The military expressed belief the NPA also suffered casualties.

The encounter took place even as the NPA Apolinario Gatmaitan Command, through its spokesman Juanito Magbanua, issued a statement on Friday, saying they will extend the ceasefire until April 30.