Negros clash death toll rises to 10

BY GLAZYL MASCULINO

BACOLOD CITY – The number of suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels who were killed in Tuesday’s clash with government troops at Sitio Agit, Barangay Trinidad in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, rose to 10 following the recovery of two more bodies near the encounter site on Wednesday, the military said.

The Philippine Army has yet to release the names of the 10 dead rebels, who were among the 40 members of the SDG platoon and SYG platoon of Central Negros 1, Komiteng Rehiyon Negros, Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor (KR – NCBS) that the 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB) engaged in a three-hour gunfight.

Maj. Cenon Pancito III, Army’s 3rd Infantry Division spokesperson, said the bodies were found near the clash site on Wednesday night during the clearing operations.

Pancito said that two alleged rebels were also arrested after they were caught hiding in a vegetated area outside the encounter site. One of them was wounded, he added.

Both suspects were already turned over to the local police.

Pancito said the local police will determine the charges to be filed against the two arrested suspects.

Meanwhile, Pancito said that residents who evacuated during the clash have returned to their houses, but those living in Sitio Agit have yet to return to their homes.

Personnel of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) and the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) here have been ordered to stay vigilant and be ready for any eventualities for the upcoming Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA anniversary on March 29.

Although there was no rebel threat monitored in the province, Police Lt. Abegael Donasco, Negros Occidental police deputy information officer, said that personnel of police stations in high-risk areas were advised not to lower their guards and to strengthen their monitoring.

The provincial police force was also reminded to never post anything on social media on real time, as the enemies are just waiting for opportunities to strike.