A SUSPECTED member of New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in an encounter with the Philippine Army at Barangay Carol-an in Ayungon, Negros Oriental Thursday morning, October 18.
Captain Ruel Llanes, spokesperson of the 303rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army, said the 62nd IB troops were conducting a monitoring and combat operations at about 4 a.m. when they sighted the presence of about 10 to 15 armed men in the area.
He said the firefight between the troops and rebels lasted for almost 40 minutes that resulted in the death of alias “Dagul,” a suspected member of Central Negros Front (CNF).
The authorities are still conducting a further investigation to determine the true identity of alias “Dagul” so his body will be turned over to his family.
Llanes said that two members of the troops also sustained minor injuries and they are now in stable condition.
Last month, the authorities were informed that there were monitored presence of armed men in Barangay Carol-an.
“It’s the result of our monitoring until they (NPA) were sighted in the area. We believe that they are members of CNF,” Llanes said.
Authorities also recovered from the encounter site two magazines of M-16, AK-47 ammunition, two radios and backpacks containing documents.
Llanes disclosed that they are still conducting a follow-up operation to neutralize the rebels who fled towards the neighboring cities and municipalities in Negros Occidental.