Negros clashes erupt anew; ‘Rebel leader’ slain

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — An alleged leader of the communist movement in the island-province of Negros was killed in a fresh encounter in Himamaylan City on Monday.

The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (ID) confirmed that Romeo Nanta – who used the aliases Juanito Magbanua, Juaning and Jack – was killed in a firefight with soldiers of the 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Barangay Carabalan.

The encounter, the fifth to occur between troopers of the 94IB and suspected New People‘s Army (NPA) guerrillas in the same village since Oct. 6, lasted 10 minutes.

The military said Nanta was the leader of the NPA’s Negros Island regional operational command as well as spokesman of the Apolinario Gatmaitan Command.

The strength of the Army’s firepower prompted Nanta’s comrades to flee, leaving behind his body.

Soldiers recovered a loaded pistol, phone and a bag containing personal belongings at the scene of the firefight.

Earlier, two soldiers were killed while six others were wounded in the series of clashes in the area.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Monday commended and gave medals to the wounded soldiers, who were recuperating in a hospital in Bacolod City.

Maj. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, commander of the Army’s 3ID, said the death of Nanta was a major blow to the activities of the NPA’s Negros Command.