BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Three New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in an encounter with soldiers in Sitio Natuling, Barangay Budlasan in Canlaon, Negros Oriental yesterday.
Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said the military received reports that one of the fatalities was the vice commander of the NPA’s Central Negros 1 under the Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros-Cebu-Bohol-Siquijor.
He said an automatic pistol with magazine, two .45-caliber pistols, a .38-caliber revolver, assorted bullets, subversive documents and personal belongings were recovered during clearing operations.
Eight NPA rebels have been killed in clashes with government troopers in central Negros in the past three weeks.
Pasaporte said two NPA guerrilla fronts in central Negros have been weakened with the killing and surrender of its members.