By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The slain New People’s Army (NPA) member in an encounter at Barangay Buenavista in Negros Occidental’s Himamaylan City on Wednesday, May 3, has been identified by authorities.

Brigadier General Orlando Edralin, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, identified the fatality as 36-year-old Crispin Tingal Acapadon, a member of the NPA’s Central Negros Front 2 and resident of the neighboring Kabankalan City’s Barangay Hilamonan.

According to Edralin, Acapadon was positively identified by his next of kin.

Government forces have also recovered an M653 rifle, assorted magazines with ammunition, a backpack, medical kits, food supplies, and subversive documents.

Meanwhile, Edralin identified the two wounded soldiers as Private First Class Denyl Reyes of Iloilo province’s San Enrique town; and Private First Class Jionald Dumagat of Cebu province’s Lapu-Lapu City.

Authorities have also identified the civilian who was hit by a stray bullet as Ma. Fe Caboctolan, a resident of Himamaylan’s Barangay Buenavista.

They are in a stable condition.

Edralin commended the Philippine Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion for their prompt action on the reported presence of the armed group and prevented them from conducting atrocities against the local residents in the area.

He also commended the vigilance of the local populace in helping and giving the troops accurate and significant information indicating their concern for the peace and order of their community./DGB, WDJ