BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — A suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebel was killed while two of his comrades were arrested following an encounter with soldiers belonging to the 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Barangay Malasibog in Escalante, Negros Occidental yesterday.
Lt. Col J-Jay Javines, 79th IB commander, said the clash occurred as soldiers responded to the reported presence of NPA rebels in the barangay.
Killed was Wilson Yanog Jr., a resident of Barangay Minapasuk in Calatrava. Joel Manguiran, alias Baroy, and Jessie Labisto were arrested.
A caliber. 45 pistol, a 9mm with ammunition, nine cellular phones, several backpacks with personal belongings, an Isuzu multicab, a motorcycle and subversive documents of high intelligence value were reportedly recovered from the rebels.
Maj. Cenon Pancito, 3rd Infantry Division spokesman, said the rebels are remnants of the NPA’s Northern Negros Front, which had been dismantled by the military.