2 Soldiers, 1 Wounded in AFP-NPA Clash in Negros

By: Rahel-U

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, PHILIPPINES –Two soldiers were killed while another wounded following an encounter between Philippine soldier between suspected New People’Army (NPA) rebels in Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City in Negros Occidental.

In a report, Lt. Col. Ariel Reyes said  the clash between soldiers of the  47^th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army and at least 30 NPA rebels took place last Tuesday afternoon and lasted for about an hour.

The killed soldiers were recognized as Cpl. Napoleon Supresencia and Pfc. Henry Lumio Jr. Pfc. Leland Sucatre, suffered from a continual minor wound on his back.

Lt. Col. Ariel Reyes, commander of the Army’s 47th Infantry Battalion (IB), said that his troops were on their way to conduct Bayanihan Activity in the local government of Sitio Madaha, Barangay Buenavista in Himamaylan City afternoon when the firefight burst forth. The rebels fired upon the soldiers so the soldiers retaliated and fight took place.

Reyes said that nobody from the side of the rebels were wounded in the battle while two M16 rifles were seized from the fleeing insurgents, who were identified as members of the NPA’s Central Negros Front, Negros Regional Committee. Provincial occupants have informed the military about the existence of lawless armed  elements in the area before the firefight happened.

Reyes said to the reporters that the killing of the two soldiers will not stop the military from doing government assistance  and provide necessary services the people of  the people of Negros Occidental. They will work even more in Bayanihan spirit together with the LGUs, other stakeholders and the people for peace and development of the local communities.

Source: ABS-CBN News Negros

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