Rebel killed in Negros clash

ESCALANTE CITY, Negros Occidental—An alleged rebel was killed while another one and a soldier were wounded in an encounter in Barangay Dian-ay here early Friday.

Lt. Col. Rommel Cordova, 62nd Infantry Battalion commanding officer, declined to identify the slain communist rebel pending notification of next of kin.

Wounded were Romly Palotes, an alleged member of the New People’s Army, and Lt. John Rey Espinosa. Both were taken to a hospital and were in stable condition.

Cordova said his troops went to Barangay Dian-ay about 4:20 a.m. to check on reports about the presence of armed men allegedly extorting money from villagers.

The soldiers were fired upon by about 10 armed men believed to be members of the Northern Negros Front, Komiteng Rehiyonal-Negros (NNF, KR-N).

“Our troops fired back and a firefight ensued for 10 minutes. The NPA rebels withdrew in disarray, leaving behind one of their dead comrades,” said Cordova.

Recovered from the scene was a .45-caliber pistol with five bullets.