3 rebels killed, 6 injured in Negros Oriental clash

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines  -Three suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA) were killed, while six others, including a soldier, were injured in a clash between the members of the Philippine Army and the rebels in Sitio Lag-asan Barangay Tacpao, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental Sunday morning, military said.

Col. Jonas Sumagaysay, assistant deputy commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, said the casualties were not known immediately after the encounter between the 11th Infantry Battalion and the rebels at 8:15 a.m. Reports from civilians later in the afternoon said that six rebels died as they saw their comrades carry the dead bodies and the injured ones.

However, Sumagaysay said they could not find the dead bodies as they were reportedly taken by their comrades, who are believed to belong to the Budlas Platoon of the Larangan Guerrilla 1 operating in Guihulngan area.

Maj. Sonny Gonzales of the 302nd Infantry Brigade said, on their side, the injured is Private Roy Salvador.

1Lt. Von Ryan Gomez said that the 11th IB's Charlie Company, led by Cpl. Joseph Efaña was conducting combat patrol operations in Sitio Lag-asan when they were fired at by about 15 to 20 armed men believed to be NPA rebels.

The fire fight lasted for about 10 minutes, Gomez said./WAB (FREEMAN)