5 suspected rebels killed in Negros Occidental clash

Negros Occidental map. INQUIRER FILES

BACOLOD CITY — Five suspected remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA) southwest front were killed in a series of encounters Sunday morning in Barangay Tapi, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, the Philippine Army said.

Lieutenant Colonel Erwin Lamzon, spokesperson of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, said the clashes began around 5:30 a.m.

Killed were three women and two men, Lamzon said. Only one of the fatalities, identified as Ka Pungkol — an alleged leader who had an amputated right arm — was named.

Soldiers recovered six M16 assault rifles, one equipped with an M203 grenade launcher, from the encounter site.

Lamzon said the suspected rebels had been occupying a shack in a farmland area when Army forces spotted them.

The operation involved four units under the 302nd Infantry “Achiever” Brigade: the 47th Infantry “Katapatan” Battalion, the 11th Infantry Battalion, the 15th Infantry Battalion, and an Army intelligence unit.

“They were believed to be in the area to carry out taxation activities as the election approaches,” Lamzon said.

READ: 2 NPA regional leaders killed in northern Negros clash