3 NPA rebels slain in Iloilo clash

MANILA, Philippines — Three New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in an encounter with government troopers in San Joaquin, Iloilo yesterday morning.

Soldiers belonging to the 61st Infantry Battalion clashed with remnants of the NPA’s Southern Panay Front, Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay led by Nahum Camariosa, alias Bebong, in a forested area at the boundary of Barangays Lomboyan and Torocadan, the military said.

Brig. Gen. Michael Samson, 301st Infantry Brigade commander, said the military launched artillery attacks and used surveillance planes as it pounded the NPA camp.

Samson said government troopers were conducting a focused military operation at the boundaries of Hamtic, Antique and San Joaquin, Iloilo when they were fired at by the rebels.

Samson said four M16 rifles and an AK47 were recovered at the scene.

Pursuit operations for around 20 other communist guerrillas are ongoing.

In Negros Occidental, 16 high-powered firearms  and explosives have been recovered in encounters with NPA rebels in Barangay Pinapugasan in Escalante City.

Lt. Col. J Jay Javines, spokesman for the Army’s Western Visayas regional office, said the clashes, which started on Feb. 21, resulted in the neutralization of the remnants of the dismantled Northern Negros Front of the Komiteng Rehiyon Negros-Cebu-Bohol-Siquijor.