TWO communist New People’s Army rebels and a soldier were killed while another soldier was wounded following a firefight in Hinobaan town in Negros Occidental on Friday morning.
Major Ray Tiongson, public affairs officer of the Army's 3rd Infantry Division, said the operating troops also recovered at the encounter site several war materiel left behind by the fleeing rebels.
Tiongson said forces from the Army's 79th Infantry Battalion, were conducting community patrol at Sitio Bugtong Lubi in Barangay Damutan around 7:40 a.m. when they clashed with about 12 rebels.
He said the two sides traded fire for about 15 minutes after which the rebel group withdrew and left behind the bodies of their two slain comrades whose names are yet to be established by the military.
Tiongson said the troops also recovered at the scene an M653 baby armalite rifle, two rifle grenades, a magazine with live ammunition, personal belongings and "subversive" documents.
Tiongson named the slain soldier as Corporal Jonathan Egaran while the wounded soldier as Corporal Melbin Legaspi who is now in stable condition at a hospital.
Lieutenant Colonel Harold Anthony Pascua, 79th IB commander, said the troops were sent to the area after residents reported the presence of the rebels who were reportedly extorting money and food supplies.
“This group resorts to banditry and is now on the run because it has already lost its mass base of support. The people wanted to preserve the peace in their community,” said Pascua.
Brigadier General Reynaldo Mutiangpili, 3rd ID acting commander, commended the troops involved in the operation for protecting the people and maintaining the peaceful environment in Hinobaan.
“We reiterate the call of all the stakeholders for the NPA to abandon the armed struggle and talk with the government authorities peacefully,” he said. (VR/Sunnex)