6 suspected rebels slain in clash with soldiers in Negros Occidental

INQUIRER FILES

BACOLOD CITY — Six alleged remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed on Thursday in an encounter with government troops in Barangay Gatuslao, Candoni town, Negros Occidental.

Brigadier General Joey Escanillas, commander of the Army’s 302nd Infantry Brigade, said they have yet to identify the slain rebels.

The government soldiers also seized high-powered firearms – five M16 rifles, two AK 47, and a baby Armalite.

Escanillas said the encounter with about 10 NPA lasted 45 minutes.

“We received a report of the presence of the rebels in the area and on the way to the site the government soldiers encountered the rebels,” he said.

Escanillas said the rebels could be in the area to recruit new members.