Three alleged NPAs dead in encounter with military in Negros Occidental

April 19, 2019

Three alleged members of New People's Army (NPA) were killed while one soldier was wounded in a 30-minute encounter with government troops in Negros Occidental last Wednesday.

Capt. Rowell Dairocas, civil military operations officer of the Army's 3rd Infantry Division, said the troops of 79th Infantry Battalion were conducting security patrol operation when they encountered about 12 rebels at the vicinity of Sitio Banwa Minatay, Brgy Marcelo in Calatrava at about 5:30 pm.

Dairocas said the operation was made following the reported presence of the armed group conducting extortion.

"The firefight lasted for about 30 minutes. After which, the enemy scampered towards different directions," he said.

Dairogas said troops recovered three abandoned bodies after the encounter.

"The cadavers of the slain communists-terrorists were turned-over to PNP and LGU-Calatrava for proper disposition," he said.

Dairogas said soldiers also recovered several high-powered firearms and other war materials including one AK 47 rifle, one M-16 rifle, seven AK-47 magazines with live ammunition, five M-16 magazines with live ammunition, four M-14 magazines with live ammunition, three rifle grenades, two handheld radios, backpacks, personal belongings and subversive documents with high intelligence value after the clash. Robina Asido/DMS