2 rebels killed, 1 captured in Negros Oriental encounter

CEBU CITY, Philippines—Two alleged communist rebels were killed by Army soldiers and another captured in an encounter Thursday morning in the  municipality of Pamplona in Negros Oriental, a military official said.

Lieutenant Colonel Harold Anthony Pascua, commander of the 79th Infantry Battalion, told the Inquirer in a telephone interview the captured rebel was the leader of the New People’s Army squad who was wounded in the firefight and was left behind by his two other men.

Pascua said at least 20 soldiers led by Lieutenant John Tumamao went to Barangay BalayongSitio Makasakasa in Pamplona town about 6 a.m. Thursday to check out reports about the presence of armed men in a house in the area.

Five men believed to be members of the New People’s Army were inside the house when the soldiers arrived, but instead of surrendering as directed, the rebels fired at the soldiers, triggering an exchange of gunfire, Pascua said.

Two of the rebels were killed while their alleged squad leader was wounded and left behind, Pascua added.

The soldiers, who did not suffer any casualties, recovered four M16 rifles and an M203 grenade launcher.

Brigadier General Francisco Patrimonio, chief of the 302nd Brigade based in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental, reported the military’s tipster as saying  Dacaldacal’s group was planning to set up a camp in Barangay Balayong.

Dacaldacal’s group was part of the 15 men in the main platoon of the Southeast Front, Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros operating on Negros Island, Patrimonio said.

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