2 NPA rebels, soldier killed in Negros clash

BACOLOD CITY , Philippines — Two suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels and an Army soldier were killed in an encounter in Barangay Kapitan Ramon in Silay City, Negros Occidental yesterday.

First Lt. Dansan Camua, 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) civil military operations officer, said a soldier who was wounded in the clash was pronounced dead on arrival in a hospital in this city.

Camua said an M16 rifle, a backpack and a poncho were recovered at the scene.

He said government troopers had responded to reports of extortion and recruitment of NPA guerrillas in the area when the gunfight erupted. The rebels were believed to be remnants of the Northern Negros Front, which was declared dismantled by the military early this year.

The Silay police, First Provincial Mobile Force Company and Special Action Force commandos are helping the 79th IB in the conduct of checkpoints and clearing operations.