By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Two alleged insurgents of the New People’s Army (NPA) were captured following an encounter at Sitio Agbagacay, Barangay Santol in Binalbagan, Negros Occidental last Tuesday afternoon, August 3.

Authorities identified the insurgents as George “Pakyaw/Pakner” Esoy and Eduardo “Edo” Estrada, both residents of Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental and allegedly members of the NPA’s Central Negros Front 1.

Lt. Colonel Angelo Guzman, commander of the 94th Infantry Battalion Philippine Army, said the clash took place after receiving a tip-off from concerned citizens regarding sightings of the rebels in the area.

Guzman also stated that some of the NPA insurgents were wounded in the clash after soldiers witnessed them carrying the wounded while retreating. The battle lasted for 10 minutes.

After searching the encounter site, the government troops found the two alleged rebels hiding in a creekline.

Recovered from the two were an M653 armalite, assorted magazines and ammunition, solar panels, radios, mobile phones, and two backpacks containing war materiels./DGB, WDJ