CLASH SITE. A map showing the site of the encounter between troops of the Philippine Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion and fighters of the New People’s Army at the boundary of Binalbagan and Isabela in Negros Occidental Thursday morning (April 20, 2023). A still unidentified rebel died during the encounter, the military said. (Image courtesy of 94IB, Philippine Army)
BACOLOD CITY – Another New People's Army (NPA) fighter was killed in a continuing gunfight with government troops at the boundary of Binalbagan and Isabela in Negros Occidental on Thursday, two days after a rebel was also slain in a clash in neighboring Moises Padilla town.
The group of the still unidentified fatality encountered soldiers from the 94th Infantry Battalion (94IB) past 2 p.m. in Sitio Mantabanon, Barangay Camang-camang on the Isabela side.
“Troops of 94IB encountered the NPA rebels that fled the clash in Moises Padilla with the 62nd Infantry Battalion,” a report of the 303rd Infantry Brigade (303rd IBde) said.
After the locals reported the presence of armed men, soldiers conducted pursuit operations, where they engaged some 15 NPA fighters in a seven-minute firefight.
On Tuesday, the clash in Moises Padilla claimed the life of Jose “Jojo” Albores, one of the leaders of the “kangaroo court” tasked to kill persons suspected to be against the NPA, under the Central Negros Front 1 of the Leonardo Panaligan Command.
The five-minute gunfight, which ensued between the 62IB troops and five NPA fighters, took place in Sitio Lower Tiyos, Barangay Quintin Remo.
The soldiers also recovered a KG9 assault rifle, a hand grenade, subversive documents and personal belongings.
“The encounter in Barangay Quintin Remo, Moises Padilla was a result of the timely and accurate information provided by the local residents about the presence of armed group who are foraging and extorting from the local populace,” said Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin, 303rd IBde commander. (PNA)
