1 NPA killed, 9 others nabbed in Negros Occidental

MANILA, Philippines - A New People’s Army (NPA) member was killed and nine suspected rebels were captured in a recent clash with Army troops in Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, the military said Tuesday.

Maj. Ray Tiongson, spokesman of the Army’s 3rd division, said troops from the 11th battalion were patrolling Sitio Mainit in Barangay Santol Monday morning when they were fired upon by about 20 rebels.

Soldiers fired back, resulting in an encounter that lasted for about three hours.

Tiongson said a rebel identified as Jerry Dorillo was killed during the firefight. Dorillo is believed to be a member of a local propaganda platoon of the New People’s Army.

Soldiers recovered eight firearms from the encounter site namely an improvised M14 single shot, four shotguns, two Cal .357 and a Cal. 45 with several assorted live ammunition.

“It was also reported earlier that nine suspected NPA rebels were captured during the encounter,” Tiongson said in a statement.

The nine suspected insurgents were turned over to local officials and the municipal police. Two of them, however, were released after authorities had confirmed that they are civilians.

“We join in the collective call for the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines)-NPA to end armed struggle and return to mainstream of society. Our aspiration for a sustained peace and development cannot be realized through the barrel of a gun,” said Maj. Gen. Aurelio Baladad, chief of the Army’s 3rd division.