• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A suspected leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) died in an encounter with Philippine Army soldiers in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental yesterday.
The fatality was identified by the Philippine Army as Ruben Tingal alias “Ka Marco”.
Lt. Col. Ziegfred Tayaban, 94th Infantry Battalion commander, said the soldiers engaged an estimated five rebels led by Tingal for almost 15 minutes in Sitio Capagal, Barangay Buenavista.
The group of Tingal are considered remnants of the dismantled Central Negros 2 guerilla front.
The gun battle also led to the recovery of an M16 assault rifle, a fragmentation grenade, and other war materials.
Tayaban said the group of Tingal was responsible for the series of liquidation activities in central Negros as well as the burning of two dump trucks and a backhoe in Barangay Carabalan, also in Himamaylan City. | GB
