By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
Following the encounter between government forces and insurgents from the New People’s Army (NPA) in Negros Occidental’s Moises Padilla town last Monday, November 28, where two rebels were killed, two more NPA members were added to the list in another encounter in Kabankalan City yesterday morning.
Lt. Colonel Van Donald Almonte, 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) commander, said the encounter took place at 2:10 a.m. in Sitio Makilo in the city’s Barangay Camansi.
The two rebel fatalities have yet to be identified as of press time, but both were members of the NPA’s Central Negros 2 command.
However, a statement from the National Democratic Front-Negros, the NPA’s political wing, confirmed that one of the fatalities was Ericson Acosta, their consultant, who was in Kabankalan “to consult” with the farmers.
Almonte said the residents have been complaining that the rebels were extorting food from them.
The residents also told the troops from the 94IB that the rebels belong to the remnants of the group involved in last October’s encounter in Himamaylan City.
Recovered from the encounter site are KG9 machine pistol, two .45 caliber pistols with magazines and ammunition, two grenades, NPA flags, and subversive documents.
“We laud the bravery of the residents in reporting the presence of the NPA. The last option for them is to surrender or suffer the same fate like their fallen comrades,” Almonte said in a statement.
In another statement, 3rd Infantry Division commander, Major General Benedict Arevalo commended the efforts of the 94IB and 47IB troops and the locals, which resulted in a successful operation against the rebels.
“This is a clear manifestation that they are losing grip and influence over their claimed mass base. Their movement is now limited as Negrenses are very vigilant in reporting their presence and activities,” Arevalo said.
Earlier this week, two NPA rebels were killed in a clash with troops of the 62IB at Barangay Quintin Remo in the province’s Moises Padilla town./DGB, WDJ