Rebel, hitman slain in clash with gov’t soldiers in Negros Occidental

Negros Occidental map

BACOLOD CITY––A suspected communist rebel and a notorious hitman were killed in an encounter Wednesday, March 9, with government troops in Isabela town, Negros Occidental.

Virgilio Marco Tamban, commanding officer of the SYP Platoon Lenovo, and a still unidentified rebel suffered bullet wounds on the body during a three-minute firefight with the 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB).

Seized were a .45 caliber gun and a hand grenade.

The Army said the slain rebels were planning to execute a civilian suspected of being a government informant.

Lt. Col. William Pesase Jr., 62 IB Acting Commanding Officer, said justice was served to the innocent civilian victims killed by the communist rebels.

“I commend the bravery of the concerned residents in divulging reliable information to finally stop the killings,” he said.

“We are calling [on] the remaining NPA (New People’s Army) members to lay down their arms and avail [themselves of] government programs, especially the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-CLIP. Our government is always ready to accept and provide assistance for you to start a normal and peaceful life,” he said.

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