Map of La Libertad, Negros Oriental. (Google image)
DUMAGUETE CITY – Government troops have recovered weapons and the body of an unidentified suspected member of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) believed killed in an encounter in Barangay Bagtic, La Libertad in northern Negros Oriental on Monday.
Maj. Cenon Pancito III, spokesperson of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, said in a telephone interview Tuesday afternoon that the slain “NPA” member was turned over to the local police and the La Libertad local government unit for proper disposition.
Pancito quoted an initial report as saying that soldiers of the Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion clashed with armed men believed to be NPA members and later discovered the body and war materiel, at the clash site in Sitio Mabanga.
Soldiers recovered one M16 rifle; one long magazine for M16; an improvised explosive device; a rifle grenade; three backpacks; four cellular phones; one small solar panel; and subversive documents.
The Army is asking residents in the area to help identify the slain suspected rebel.
Meanwhile, Pancito said the armed group that figured in the encounter is believed to be from the Central Negros 1, Kilusang Rehiyong Negros Cebu Bohol Siquijor (KRNCBS) of the NPA.
He said relentless pursuit operations continue in La Libertad and nearby areas “because we have to go after the remaining members of the NPA”. (PNA)
