Soldier, 2 rebels killed in clash

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines  — A Philippine Army soldier and two suspected hit squad members of the New People’s Army died in a clash early Saturday at Barangay Bucalan in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental.

The slain soldier was identified as Private First Class Edmund Prieto, of the 11th Infantry Battalion based in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, while the two dead rebels were identified as Argie Villasan and Elmer Cañete.

Capt. Anecito Naz of the 302nd Infantry Brigade based in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental, said that Prieto, assigned as handler of a team of Civilian Armed Auxiliary members, died on the spot in the encounter that took place around 7:30 a.m. Saturday at the sub-village of Natay in Bucalan.

The bodies of the rebels, who also died in the encounter, were recovered after their other companions fled the scene, said Naz, adding that the soldiers were able to capture a fleeing rebel, Ronnel Josalita, who identified the two slain comrades.

Initial investigation showed that at least four men, believed to be members of the NPA hit squad, the Special Partisan Armed Regional Unit (SPARU) were monitored in Natay early Saturday.

Prieto and his troops from the Alpha Company of the 12th CAFGU were on their way to verify the presence of the group when the latter allegedly opened fire, which resulted in an exchange of gunfire, said Naz.

Authorities recovered from the scene of the encounter the bodies of the two slain “rebels” as well as two caliber .45 handguns, four magazines, 23 rounds of live ammunition and a fragmentation grenade, he said. —Judy Flores Partlow

Naz said the suspected NPA SPARU members belonged to Platoon Budlas of Larangan Guerilla 1 of the Komiteng Rehiyon Negros.