By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

An insurgent belonging to the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed while another was captured after two simultaneous encounters in central Negros on August 13 and 14. 

62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB) commander, Lt. Colonel Melvin Flores, identified the fatality as 21-year-old Rickim Marosino Remasog, a resident of Barangay Luz in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.

Meanwhile, the arrested rebel was identified as 20-year-old Rennel Remasog.

Flores said aside from the two, they also managed to rescue two female minors who were allegedly recruited by the NPA rebels. The 62IB commander refused to name the two due to security concerns.

Flores believes the individuals they encountered were the same with those involved in extorting food supplies from residents in the neighboring Barangay Quintin Remo in Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental.

He said based on information they received, the Remasogs were members of the NPA’s Leonardo Panaligan Command’s SYP Platoon CN1.

During the encounter last Friday, government forces recovered a .22 caliber M1 carbine, two .45 caliber pistols, several rounds of ammunition, three cartridge cases from a 40mm grenade ammo, a commercial radio, half-sack of rice, and a 20-meter wire for an improvised explosive device.

Following the said clash, Flores slammed the NPA for recruiting minors in their ranks and their use of landmines which is a violation to the International Humanitarian Law.

Flores again appealed to the NPA combatants to surrender, adding they know that they are tired and hungry. However, he also issued a warning that if they refuse, the government forces will enforce the full force of the law and protect people.

The clash last Friday also resulted in the slight wounding of two soldiers.

The NPA, meanwhile, denied that an encounter took place and accused the army of spreading lies./DGB, WDJ