Three soldiers killed in clash with alleged NPAs in Negros Oriental

April 20, 2020

Three soldiers were killed while four others were wounded in a clash with alleged New People's Army (NPA) members in Negros Occidental on Sunday.

Capt. Cenon Pancito III, public affairs chief of the 3rd Infantry Division, said   elements of the 94th Infantry Battalion were conducting security patrol operation when the armed men detonated a landmine in Sitio Tugas, Brgy. Carabalan, Himamaylan City around 10 am.

"The soldiers were responding to the repeated plea of the local residents of Sitio Tugas on the presence of CPP-NPA ( Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army) terrorists who were conducting extortion and recruitment activities in their community," he said.

Pancito said a 30-minute firefight ensued following the landmine explosion that resulted in the death of the three soldiers.

"Authorities are still confirming  casualties among the terrorist group as military operations continue against the perpetrators," he said.

Major General Eric Vinoya, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, condemned the "cowardice and the dastardly act" of the rebels.

"Their continued use of landmine against our troops is prohibited under the International Humanitarian Law and this violation bespeaks of the cowardice and banditry of this terrorist group,” he added.

Vinoya also expressed his sympathies to the families, relatives, and friends of the slain soldiers.  Robina Asido/DMS