4 rebels killed, 6 wounded in Misencounter

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines -Four members of the New People's Army died while six others were injured in another mis-encounter between two units of the communist insurgents last Thursday, according to a military report over the weekend.

Colonel Jonas Sumagaysay, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said the mis-encounter between two NPA units took place along the boundary of Brgy. San Isidro in Toboso town and Brgy. Libertad in Escalante City.

The fatalities were only known as Ka Dodoy, Ka Aiza, Ka Tiro and Ka Dadoy, based on the information relayed to the military by an informant within the rebel movement.

Sumagaysay said conflict between local NPA leaders and those who came from other islands of Visayas, who were deployed in Negros, led to the mis-encounter, and similar incident also happened in February and April this year.

The NPA leaders from other regions of the Visayas wanted to implement the directives of the hierarchy of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army, which local leaders said were not applicable in their area, as of this time.

The squabble in the NPA leadership has created a general breakdown of discipline among its commanders and rank-and-file, especially in northern Negros, Sumagaysay said.

Last month, an Army soldier and nine suspected New People's Army rebels were injured in armed clashes at sitio Dogma in Brgy. Malatas of Calatrava town, Negros Occidental, military records showed.

Sumagaysay said they are now exerting efforts to locate the burial grounds of slain rebels, for them to be given a decent burial, in coordination with their respective families. He also reiterated his call for families of the injured rebels, to avail their offer of full medical treatment. (FREEMAN)