Rebel killed in Negros clash

BACOLOD CITY MANILA, Philippines — An alleged New People’s Army (NPA) guerrilla was killed while four others were arrested following an encounter in Guihulngan, Negros Oriental on Saturday.

The identities of the fatality and the suspects were not immediately available.

Two of the four suspects were wounded in the firefight that occurred in Barangay Sandayao. They were taken to the Guihulngan District Hospital for treatment.

Troopers of the Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB) were responding to reports about the presence of armed men in the area when they encountered the suspects in Sitio Manlibod.

The rebels reportedly belonged to the Central Front 1 Komiteng Rehiyonal-Negros-Cebu-Bohol Siquijor of the NPA, according to Lt. Col. Melvin Flores, chief of the 62nd IB.

Soldiers said they recovered from the scene of the encounter two pistols, ammunition and a backpack containing documents.