2 ‘rebels’ slain in Negros clash

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Two suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas were killed in an encounter in Himamaylan, Negros Occidental yesterday.

The fatalities, which included a woman, were among the remnants of the dismantled Central Negros 2 faction of the NPA, according to Lt. Col. J Jay Javines, civil-military operations officer of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division.

Troopers from the Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion were responding to reports about the presence of armed men in Barangay Buenavista when they encountered the rebels.

The firefight lasted five minutes before the guerrillas retreated, leaving behind their slain comrades.

Soldiers recovered two rifles, ammunition, war materials and personal belongings at the scene of the encounter.

A pursuit operation was launched for the fleeing insurgents.

Meanwhile, in Eastern Samar, two alleged NPA guerrillas surrendered to authorities in the municipality of Taft.

Rolando Romanca and Joy Mendez surendered to soldiers of the Army’s 52nd and 78th Infantry Battalions in Barangay Nato with the help of local government officials.

Romanca was said to be a ranking official of the NPA’s Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee, while Mendez was a medical staff.