BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – The island’s Army brigade has claimed its ninth rebel kill in less than a week after a new clash with a company of the New People’s Army led to a body count of eight guerrillas in the Oriental Negros city of Guihulngan.
The spokesman of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, Capt. Kelvin Bayaban said the three-hour gunbattle with the rebels in the sub-village of Agit in Trinidad village started noon of ztuesday, 23 March also led to the seizure of battle rifles, M14s and M16s, a machine-gun, a machine pistol, and improvised explosives.
Bayaban said no one was killed or hurt among the soldiers.
A news release from the brigade said Colonel Michael Samson, acting 303rd brigade commander lauded the troops that were involved in the said operations and likewise expressed his gratitude to the community whose cooperation has been vital to the success of the said engagement. He assured the people of Negros that the 303rd Infantry Brigade and all other Army units will always be on full alert to prevent the NPA Terrorists from doing hostile activities.”
“I urge our soldiers to relentlessly pursue the NPAs who had been threatening our people in the countryside. I also encourage the people to continue giving information on the presence of NPAs in their communities in order for us to prevent them from casting terroristic activities that could hamper the ongoing peace and development in the area,” Samson added.
