7 suspected NPA rebels killed in Negros clash

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Seven suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, including four ranking officials, died in an armed encounter with soldiers in Barangay Tapi, Kabankalan City in Negros Occidental on Sunday.

Brig. Gen. Joey Escanillas, 302nd Infantry Brigade commander, identified the slain rebel leaders as Mary Jane “Chin Chin” Maguilat and her husband Reniel “Ka Kumpol” Cellon, secretary and commanding officer, respectively, of the dismantled South West Front.

Also killed in the clash were Charity Amacan and Glendyl Mijares, secretary and deputy, respectively, of the dismantled South East Front.

Kabankalan City Police identified the three other fatalities as Isidro Supilina and John Rey Mijares Jr., political instructors of both fronts, and an alias Pitong.

Escanillas said the encounter was an offshoot of the joint operations of the 47th Infantry and 15th Infantry Battalions against the remnants of the dismantled rebel fronts, which were reported to have consolidated their forces in the area.

The Philippine Army recovered six M16 rifles, an M203 grenade launcher, bullets and backpacks.

Escanillas said the merging of the remaining members of the dismantled rebel fronts may have something to do with the midterm elections, specifically their scheme to require candidates to secure a permit to campaign.

Meanwhile, soldiers on security patrol in Shariff Saydona Mustapha town in Maguindanao del Sur clashed with militants linked to the Islamic State on Sunday.

Lt. Col. Al Victor Burkley, 6th Infantry Battalion chief, said government troops chanced upon members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters-Daulah Islamiyah faction in Barangay Pagatin I.

Burkley said his troops engaged the militants in a brief but fierce firefight, which forced the terrorists to retreat and abandon their firearms.

Pursuing troops recovered a sniper rifle, a Garand rifle, a grenade launcher, grenades and bullets.

Brig. Gen. Jose Vladimir Cagara, 1st Brigade Combat Team commander, and Brig. Gen. Edgar Catu, 601st Brigade commander, directed their units to reinforce the area and pursue the fleeing terrorists.