2 rebels, 1 soldier killed in Negros Oriental clash

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MANILA, Philippines—One soldier and two communist rebels were killed in a five-minute firefight in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental Saturday morning, a military spokesman said.

Major Enrico Ileto of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division said troops from the 11th Infantry Battalion encountered an undetermined number of New People’s Army guerrillas in Bucalan village at around 7:30 a.m.

Private First Class Edmund Prieto was killed in the clash. On the rebels’ side, the fatalities were Argie Villasan and Elmer Canete, all members of the NPA’s Special Partisan Unit.

Ileto said another rebel, Ronnel Josalita, was arrested.

Recovered from the site were two caliber .45 pistols, four magazines of caliber .45 pistols with 23 live ammunition, one fragmentation grenade and “voluminous documents of high intelligence value.”

Member of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary have been victims of rebel “sparrow” operations in Negros, Ileto said. The latest victim was Dandy Quilanan who was killed on Thursday in Barangay Macagahay, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental.

Another militiaman, identified as Paquito Lacton, was gunned down on Tuesday by suspected NPA hitmen in the villages of Makilignit and Sikatuna of Isabela, Negros Occidental.

Third Infantry Division Commander Major General Jose Mabanta said his troops will “continue to hunt down” the rebels.