2 gov’t troops slain, 4 hurt in Negros Occidental clash

Government troops recover several belongings at the encounter site in Moises Padilla town, Negros Occidental. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

BACOLOD CITY––Two soldiers were killed, and four others were injured in an encounter at 3:40 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, with communist rebels in Sitio Tiyos, Barangay Quintin Remo, Moises Padilla town, Negros Occidental.

Capt. Kim Apitong, officer-in-charge of the Army 3rd Division Public Affairs Office, said the troops launched combat operations in response to information from concerned citizens about the presence of New People’s Army (NPA) members in Tiyos.

The group, he said, was planning to stage attacks and intensify their extortion scheme in the area.

When they went to the area, the government troops encountered 25 rebels, which resulted in a firefight that lasted for an hour.

Apitong said the rebels were seen dragging away at least four of their comrades.

“Bloodstains were seen on their withdrawal route as pursuing units continued to hunt the terrorist group in the southwest direction,” he said.

Recovered from the encounter site were three backpacks, two cell phones, ammunition, four large cooking pots, various belongings, and supplies, Apitong said.

Before the encounter, there were reports the NPA rebels planned to attack the Hilaitan-Trinidad Farm-to-Market Road in Guihulngan City. The project is 90 percent complete and is being secured by government forces.

Major Gen. Benedict Arevalo, 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division commander, said the Army would not allow the rebels to stage atrocities and conduct extortion in the region.

“As I direct our troops to conduct relentless military operations against these terrorists, I encourage all Negrenses to join our fight by continuing to provide information about their plans and activities and further preventing them from casting more terror,” Arevalo said.

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