• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Pursuit operations against remnants of the New People’s Army in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, led to series of encounters on May 1, and the death of a suspected rebel, as well as the recovery of high powered firearms, according to the Philippine Army.
The cadaver of a suspected rebel remnant, identified by the 62nd Infantry Battalion as Tony Pahayay, with aliases of Aldren and Redol, was recovered at the encounter site in Sitio Tubigan, Barangay Humay Humay, Guihulngan City, following a 6 a.m. encounter on Thursday in the barangay, where an Army soldier was slightly injured after being hit by shrapnel after a M203 grenade launcher fired at them by about nine remnants of the dismantled Central Negros 1 of the Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor.
The injured soldier is now in a stable condition, according to a statement issued by the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division.
Pursuing Army soldiers figured in three more armed encounters with the fleeing rebel remnants, killing one, and leading to the recovery of M4 and M16 assault rifles, 30 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, assorted food supplies and personal belongings, as well as subversive documents.
In a statement, Maj. Gen. Michael Samson, 3ID commander, lauded the bravery and swift response of the soldiers during the successive armed engagements.
Samson also assured the family of the injured Army soldier that he is receiving the best medical care.
Like every soldier, his sacrifice is deeply valued, he stressed.
On April 27, seven NPA rebel remnants, including three top leaders in southern Negros, also died in series of armed skirmishes with Army soldiers in Brgy. Tapi, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.
Seven high powered firearms, including six M16 rifles and a KG9 automatic pistol with ammunition were recovered by Army soldiers.*
