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NPA rebel killed, 2 soldiers injured in renewed gun battle

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• GILBERT P. BAYORAN

Police and CIS volunteers unload relief goods from a rescue vehicle, for distribution by Himamaylan City CSWDO personnel to families affected by the armed encounters.* PNP photo

Another armed skirmish ensued on Wednesday in Sitio Ulo-Tuburan, Brgy. Buenavista, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, claiming the life of a New People’s Army rebel while causing injuries to two Army soldiers.

A woman resident of the place was also hit by a stray bullet.

Capt. Raymart Africa, acting Civil Military Operations officer of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, yesterday said that 94th Infantry Battalion soldiers responded to reports of residents on the presence of armed rebels roaming around and engaging in extortion activities, victimizing residents of the barangay and neighboring Brgy. Hilamonan in Kabankalan City.

Africa said that 94IB soldiers managed to catch up and engage an estimated 15 rebels, believed to be members of the Sentro De Grabidad Platoon of the Central Negros 2 under the Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor, in an approximately 20-minute firefight.

The fleeing rebels left behind their slain companion, whose identity has not yet been established as of press time. Army soldiers scouring the encounter site also recovered an M653 automatic assault rifle with a magazine containing ammunition, assorted ammunition for M14 rifle, 12-gauge shotgun, and .38 caliber revolver, among other personal items, assorted foodstuff, and subversive documents.

With the help of the Himamaylan City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office and the local police, the remains of slain rebel were retrieved from the encounter site and brought it to a funeral parlor for identification by family members, Africa said.

Both the injured woman and two Army soldiers are now being treated for their injuries in a hospital.

Sixty-five families who evacuated from their respective homes in the sitio are now staying at the covered court of Brgy. Hilamonan, Kabankalan City, which is close to their place.

The city governments of Himamaylan and Kabankalan immediately dispatched their respective social workers and health personnel, who also brought relief goods for distribution to the affected families, and even provided them with tents to sleep in.

Lt. Col. Van Donald Almonte, 94IB commander, said that the affected families will temporarily remain in the evacuation center, pending the clearing of the encounter site and neighboring areas.

Kabankalan City Mayor Benjie Miranda, who also visited the evacuation center, was joined by the Philippine National Red Cross volunteers.*

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