Rebel leader, over 10 others killed in Negros clash — Army

BACOLOD CITY—More than 10 members of the New People’s Army (NPA), including their reported leader, were killed in an encounter in Barangay Salamanca, Toboso, northern Negros Occidental, on Sunday, the Philippine Army said.

READ: Over 600 flee homes as Army, NPA clash in Negros Occidental

Brig. Gen. Ted Dumosmog, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade (303IB), said the fatalities were later recovered in Sitio Plariding, about three kilometers from the initial encounter site in Sitio Sinugmawan, on Monday.

Among those killed was rebel leader Roger Fabillar, who also used the aliases Arnel Tapang, Jhong, Nono, and Domeng.

A post on the 79th Infantry Battalion Facebook page dated April 26, 2023, said a P1-million reward was earlier offered for Fabillar’s arrest or neutralization for his alleged involvement in the killings of civilians in Calatrava and Toboso.

“As far as we are concerned, more than 10 rebels were killed because we have not yet fully accounted for all the remains,” Dumosmog said, adding that scene-of-the-crime operatives were still conducting recovery and documentation at the site.

He said the group was believed to be remnants of the Northern Negros Front, although authorities were also looking into the possibility of reinforcements due to unidentified casualties.

The clashes between the 79th Infantry Battalion and the rebels forced the evacuation of 653 residents in Toboso on Sunday, Mayor Richard Jaojoco said.

Dumosmog added that one government soldier sustained a minor hand injury during the firefight, which began at around 4 a.m.

READ: 3 alleged NPA rebels slain in Negros Occidental clash

As the situation remains fluid, Jaojoco urged residents to remain alert.

“Let us continue praying for peace and protection amid the ongoing armed conflict,” he said./coa