By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

An alleged insurgent from New People’s Army (NPA) was killed while four of his comrades managed to escape after soldiers from the 79th Infantry Battalion (79IB) conducted a strike operation at Sitio Icugan, Barangay Minapasok in Negros Occidental’s Calatrava town early yesterday morning.

Authorities have yet to identify the dead NPA insurgent as of press time.

Philippine Army 3rd Infantry Division spokesperson Major Cenon Pancito said a scout platoon from the 79IB conducted the operation and encountered the five insurgents belonging to the NPA’s Northern Negros Front.

The 79IB recovered a .45 caliber pistol, a .38 caliber revolver, and subversive documents in the encounter site.

Pancito added the 79IB did not sustain any casualties in the battle and they immediately called for a pursuit operation against the rebels./DGB, WDJ