By CESAR JOLITO III

A suspected member of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed following a series of armed encounters with government troops at Barangay Bucalan in Negros Oriental’s Canlaon City on Thursday morning, April 23.

Authorities identified the casualty as Jomarie Peña, a resident of the village.

Brigadier General Ted Dumosmog, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, said the military launched an operation after receiving reports from residents about the presence of suspected rebels in the area.

Troops encountered the armed group early in the morning, triggering a firefight that lasted approximately two minutes.

Authorities said two more brief clashes followed, bringing the total number of encounters to three.

Dumosmog said around 10 suspected NPA members were believed to have been involved in the encounters.

An M16 rifle and ammunition were recovered at the encounter site.

Initial investigation further revealed that Peña’s group was also reportedly involved in a previous encounter with government forces in Barangay Binalbagan, also in Canlaon City, on Tuesday, April 21./CJ, WDJ