ILLEGAL ITEMS. Troops of the Philippine Army’s 15th Infantry Battalion seized various firearms and ammunition after their clash with communist-terrorists in Ilog, Negros Occidental on Saturday (April 24, 2021). Two rebels were killed during the 40-minute encounter in Sitio Payranan. (Photo courtesy of 15IB)
BACOLOD CITY – Some two Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) fighters have been killed in an armed clash with troops of the Philippine Army’s 15th Infantry Battalion (15IB) in Barangay Pinggot, Ilog town in Negros Occidental on Saturday.
The 15IB reported on Monday that the cadavers were brought to a funeral parlor in Barangay Hilamonan in neighboring Kabankalan City.
There were no casualties among government troops during the 40-minute firefight with members of the NPA’s Platoon 3 Southwest Front of Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor in Sitio Payranan.
Col. Leonardo Peña, commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade, which supervises the 15IB based in southern Negros, commended the relentless efforts of the troops in their series of engagements with the communist-terrorists.
He also recognized the participation of the community in providing accurate and timely information to soldiers, a proof that the locals are tired of the “deceptions and whims” of the CPP-NPA.
“We have to guard the peace that we enjoy now and not lose our grip in working together so that the next generation will also enjoy it without the fear of being deceived,” Peña added.
Col. Erwin Cariño, commanding officer of the 15IB with headquarters in Barangay Tiling, Cauayan, said the people’s continuous support in providing information on the activities and location of the communist-terrorists have greatly contributed to their efforts in ending the local insurgency in Negros Island.
“We call on the remaining NPA to surrender while you still have time,” he added.
Government troops recovered from the slain rebels a Colt AR15 M-16 rifle, a caliber .45 pistol, a 12-gauge homemade shotgun, an anti-personnel mine with blasting and detonating cap, three short magazines, assorted live ammunition, subversive documents, and five backpacks.
The encounter in Ilog came a week after the clash between the CPP-NPA rebels and 15IB soldiers in Purok Yuring, Sitio Dash 7, Barangay Bulwangan, which also claimed the lives of two communist-terrorists.
The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)
