- BERT BAYORAN
A suspected member of the New People’s Army died Sept. 7 in an encounter with government soldiers in Sitio Manlibod, Brgy. Trinidad, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.
Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said that about eight NPA members were encountered by patrolling soldiers of the 62nd Infantry Battalion, who were responding to information from civilians on the presence of armed men in their community.
Pasaporte said the gunbattle lasted for about five minutes before the rebels scampered to various directions and left behind their slain comrade.
The Army soldiers found the dead rebel and recovered a hand grenade, .45 caliber pistols, assorted ammunition and war materials at the encounter site.
No casualty was reported on the government side. The slain rebel has not been identified by authorities, as of this time./GB
