An alleged member of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in an encounter with the 15th Infantry Battalion (15IB) at Barangay Camindangan in Negros Occidental’s Sipalay City on Friday, January 10.

The 15IB has yet to identify the victim as of press time.

Brigadier General Joey Escanillas, 302nd Infantry Brigade commander, said the 25-minute encounter happened at around 7:35 a.m. on Friday, as government troops conducted combat operations following reports of the presence of an armed group in the village’s Sitio Cambugyot.

They encountered an alleged 10-member group from the dismantled Southwest Front under the Komiteng Rehiyon – Negros, Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor.

No casualties were reported on the side of the government forces, Escanillas said.

The alleged NPA rebels left behind their slain comrade, initially identified as “Ka Wanny.”

The government troops recovered an M14 assault rifle and four backpacks from the encounter site.

Meanwhile, Major General Marion Sison, commander of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, urged the remaining members of the communist terrorist group to lay down their arms and return to the fold of law.

“There is still time to choose a different path. Our troops remain committed to pursuing those who threaten the hard-won stable internal peace and security environment of Negros Island,” Sison said.

“This is your chance to avoid the same fate that befell your comrade. Together, we can build a peaceful future for Negros Island, a future where harmony and progress flourish,” he added./WDJ