THREE suspected rebels died while a soldier was injured in a clash between the military troops and New People’s Army (NPA) in Sitio Banwa Minatay, Barangay Marcelo, Calatrava, Negros Occidental on April 17.
Brigadier General Benedict Arevalo, commander of 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde) of the Philippine Army, identified the fatalities as Peter “Mark” Dayanan of Barangay Alimango, Escalante City; his wife Mae Roman Dayanan of Barangay Banquerohan, Cadiz City; and Sulpicio Hernan Jr. of Barangay Bago, Don Salvador Benedicto town.
Peter was a member of the finance and squad leader of a rebel group in northern Negros while his wife and Hernan were also members of the same group.
Wounded was Sergeant Edwin Gardose.
Members of the 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) of the Philippine Army were conducting security patrol at 5:30 p.m., following reports about the extortion activities of NPA in the area when 12 suspected rebels fired at them.
The firefight lasted for 30 minutes.
The cadaver of the slain rebels were already claimed by their families.
The wounded soldier is in stable condition.
Military troops recovered from the clash an AK47 rifle, an M16 rifle, seven AK47 magazines with live ammunition, five M16 magazines with live ammunition, four M14 magazines with live ammunition, three rifle grenades, two handheld radios, 12 back packs, personal belongings, and subversive documents with high intelligence value.
Lieutenant Colonel Emelito Thaddeus Logan, commander of the 79th IB, said, “The encounter in the area is a clear manifestation that the communities were tired from the extortions made by the NPAs and no longer wanted its deceptions anymore.”
The communities are now awake from the truth of the NPA’s deception and lies, he added.
With this, the community is now doing their counterpart to resolve the insurgency problem in northern Negros by giving reports on the activities of the NPAs, Logan said.
The 79th IB will continue to persuade the communist terrorists to prevent their recruitment and armed struggle and avail themselves of the government’s reintegration program, he said.
However, he warned them that if they refuse to return to the folds of law, the military will not be tired to launch combat operations against them. (GYM)