2 suspected NPA members killed in Negros Oriental

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Two suspected members of the New People’s Army were killed in a shootout with the military in Barangay Talalak, Santa Catalina town, Negros Oriental on Friday.

Brig. Gen. Ignacio Madriaga, 302nd Infantry Brigade commander, said about 10 NPA rebels first opened fire on a military outpost, prompting the military to retaliate.

The NPA rebels later scampered in different directions, leaving their two slain comrades whose identities were still being established by the military.

Government troopers recovered from the rebel-vacated positions three magazines of an M-16 rifle containing 25 ammunition, three M-14 rifle live ammunition, an unexploded fragmentation grenade without a safety pin, an electrical wire, an empty shell of an M-203 grenade launcher, one bandoleer, assorted medicines, a sling bag, and a brown bull cap.

No one was hurt among the government troopers manning the detachment. A hot pursuit operation was launched against the fleeing rebels. (Editor: Eden Estopace)