1 soldier, 1 suspected rebel slain in Negros Occidental clashes

BACOLOD CITY –– A government soldier and a suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebel were killed in two successive encounters Wednesday in Purok Galaupan, Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental.

Authorities begged off from revealing the soldier’s identity until his family is informed of his death, said Major Cenon Pancito III, spokesperson of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division.

The first encounter between the 62nd Infantry Battalion and at least nine rebels happened around 9 a.m. At least two soldiers were wounded in this clash.

The wounded troops were immediately transferred by a helicopter to a hospital in Bacolod, where one of them was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician, Pancito said.

The other wounded soldier is being treated at a Bacolod hospital.

Government troops conducted a follow-up operation at 10:10 a.m. This led to the death of a suspected rebel.

Pancito said the troops seized seven backpacks containing the personal belongings of the alleged rebels.

LZB