In Pamplona, Negros Oriental: 2 rebels die in clash w/ soldiers

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines— Two suspected members of the NPA died after fighting with Philippine Army soldiers in a 20-minute firefight at Sitio Makasakasa in Barangay Balayong of Pamplona town in Negros Oriental at around  7:30 a.m. yesterday.

First Lieutenant Ronnie Sarmiento, acting officer of Civil Military Operations of the 79th Infantry (Masaligan) Battalion, told the media that a platoon of the Charlie Company of the battalion, led by 2nd Lieutenant John Tumamao, were on combat patrol in the area when they clashed with at least five rebels.

Sarmiento said the firefight lasted for 20 minutes in a running gun battle as the rebels withdrew toward different directions leaving behind their two dead comrades.

During the pursuit operations, the soldiers captured a wounded rebel, who they believed was a high-ranked officer of the NPA. The soldiers applied first aid to the injured rebel and then moved him to a hospital in the town proper.

As of press time, the military has yet to identify the two slain rebels and the one who was wounded. They were further maintaining communication with the barangay officials to ensure the safety of the residents in the area, according to Sarmento.

Recovered from the encounter site were five M16 rifles, an M203 grenade launcher and some personal belongings, he said.

Sarmento said that, before the encounter, the 79th IB got several text messages from some residents in the area saying that there were unidentified armed men staying inside the house of one resident in the sitio, where the NPA members may had been getting foods.

The troops immediately proceeded to the area, where they  found out that the rebels were still in the reported house. This prompted Tumamao and his men to negotiate with the rebels for their peaceful surrender. The rebels however disregarded the offer and fired at the soldiers instead, prompting the latter to fight back.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel Harold Anthony Pascua, acting commander of the 79th IB, extended his sympathy and condolence to the families of the killed rebels.

Pascua said the tipoff of the residents about the NPA’s presence in the area was clear proof that the people in that sitio of Balayong no longer accept the ideologies or presence of the rebels.

The 79th IB, after the clash, has encouraged the other rebels to surrender and live normally by availing themselves of the government’s Comprehensive Local Integration Program. This program is waiting for the rebels, but the military will continue to conduct combat operations to flush the rebels out and surrender their firearms.

“Return peacefully to the folds of the law. We will ensure that the rules of engagement are properly observed by our troops in the area,” said Pascua in his message to the NPA. (FREEMAN)