BACOLOD CITY – Two suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed during an encounter with military troops at Sitio Agpapatao, Barangay Binobohan, Guihulngan City in Negros Oriental on Friday.
The military identified the slain rebels as Edgar Bonifacio and Randy Canumay, both residents of the said village. They were allegedly members of the Special Partisan Unit (Sparu) responsible for the killing of civilians in the cities of Guihulngan and Canlaon.
The Army said on Saturday that the clash occurred when the 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB) was dispatched to conduct combat operation, following reports on the alleged presence of NPA in the area.
While the troops were approaching the area, about 10 armed men reportedly fired at them, forcing them to retaliate.
The firefight lasted for about 12 minutes, leaving two casualties.
Authorities recovered from the site two .45-caliber pistols, a .38-caliber pistol, four magazines loaded with live ammunition, improvised shotguns, and several subversive documents.
Lt. Col. Egberto Dacoscos, 62nd IB commander, said that the two casualties were part of the group that continuously threatens the people who do not cooperate with them.
The 62nd IB dispatched additional troops to conduct pursuit operations against the NPA. (Glazyl Masculino)
