By JEN BAYLON

Two suspected remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA) South West Front were killed in two separate encounters with the Philippine Army’s 15th Infantry Battalion (15IB) in Negros Occidental’s Sipalay City.

Brigadier General Joey Escanillas, 302nd Infantry Brigade commander, said Regie Fundador, a resident of Candoni town, was killed during the first encounter at Sitio Bactolon early Wednesday morning, July 31.

Escanillas said Fundador was believed to be a member of NPA’s Partisan Unit, which was responsible for liquidation operations.

The military launched a hot pursuit operation against seven other suspected rebels following the initial encounter, which led to a second exchange of gunfire at Sitio Cambogui-ot in Barangay Camindangan on Thursday, August 1.

“Ian,” a member of the NPA’s supplementing group, allegedly responsible for extortion activities, was killed in the second clash.

Several firearms and documents from the suspected rebels were recovered during the operations.

The 15IB is currently conducting clearing operations in the encounter sites to ensure that all rebel forces have been neutralized.

Earlier this week, a 64-year-old combatant of the NPA was killed in a two-minute encounter with the 15IB in Cauayan town’s Barangay Basak.

The 3rd Infantry Division said Ramon Moico Enseniales was considered to be a remnant of the dismantled South West Front.

His body was found after other suspected rebels fled the encounter site./JB, WDJ