By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

An alleged New People’s Army (NPA) insurgent was killed following a skirmish at Barangay Bagtic in La Libertad, Negros Oriental on Monday morning.

Authorities have yet to establish the identity of the suspected insurgent, who was believed to be aged around 30 years old.

Based on information released by the Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade (303IB) based in Murcia, Negros Occidental, the 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB) received information regarding the presence of NPA insurgents in the said barangay who were engaging in extortion activities.

Word also came in that the insurgents were also trying to recruit among the populace.

Members of the 62IB immediately went into the area and a gun battle ensued between them and at least 15 NPA rebels.

The insurgents were later forced to retreat, leaving behind one of their comrades who was killed in the battle.

Soldiers recovered a loaded M16 assault rifle, an improvised explosive device, mobile phones, solar panels, and subversive documents in the encounter site.

There were no casualties inflicted among the government forces, 303IB said./DGB, WDJ