• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
An Army soldier died in an encounter with New People’s Army rebels on August 24 in Sitio Taleo, Brgy. Milagrosa, Santa Catalina, Negros Oriental.
This comes two weeks after NPA rebels also staged an ambush in Brgy. Minapasuk, Calatrava, Negros Occidental, that resulted in the killing of a policeman, and injuries of two others.
The gunbattle between soldiers of the 11th Infantry Battalion and about 10 rebels, believed to be remnants of the dismantled South East Front of the Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor, lasted about five minutes, after which NPA members fled in various directions.
The fleeing rebels left behind two .45 caliber pistols with three magazines containing 11 ammunition, a hand grenade and personal belongings, which were recovered from the encounter site by Army soldiers, according to a statement issued by the 11th Infantry Battalion.
Unfortunately, the gunbattle also claimed the life of an Army soldier, whose identity was withheld, pending notification of his family members.
The cadaver of the slain soldier now lies at a funeral parlor in Dumaguete City.
The 11IB also condemned the continuing terror acts of the NPA remnants in Negros Oriental, who are trying to revive the dying communist ideology, according to its commander, Lt. Col. Michael Aquino.
In a statement, Brig. Gen Joey Escanillas, commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade, said that their colleague offered the ultimate sacrifice to free the people of Negros Island from the menace of the continuing threat from the CPP-NPA.*
