5 NPA rebels dead in Negros Oriental clash

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Five suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in an encounter with Army soldiers and personnel of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion in Negros Oriental yesterday.

Lt. Col. Ramir Redosendo, 11th Infantry Battalion commander, said government forces were to serve a warrant of arrest for illegal possession of firearms and explosives against Isaias Rabilista when they were shot by NPA rebels occupying two houses in Sitio Talingting, Barangay Luyang in Mabinay town.

Redosendo said the rebels abandoned their slain comrades, including Rabilista, after around 30 minutes of gunbattle.

The identities of the other fatalities have yet to be determined. There was no reported casualty on the side of the government.

Three M16 rifles, an AK47, a caliber .45 pistol, four rifle grenades, an improvised explosive device, three magazines for an AK47 and subversive documents were among those recovered at the scene.

Redosendo thanked villagers for reporting the presence of armed men in their area.

“I urge the people of Negros Oriental to continue reporting the presence of NPA rebels in their communities to prevent terrorist activities,” he said.

Meanwhile, the military said six NPA rebels surrendered in Davao de Oro and Misamis Oriental recently.

Two of the surrenderees, identified only as Michael and Niko, are said to be NPA leaders.

The surrenderees turned over eight high-powered firearms.

Eastern Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Jose Faustino Jr. said the communist movement in Eastern Mindanao is on the brink of collapse.

The region has been a hotbed of communist insurgency for decades. Edith Regalado