5 ‘NPA rebels’ killed in Negros clashes
BACOLOD CITY—Five alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in a series of armed encounters with government troops in the hinterlands of Barangays Abaca and Poblacion in Cauayan, Negros Occidental, on Saturday.
The clashes occurred after residents alerted authorities about the presence and movement of armed communist rebels in the area, prompting troops from the 15th Infantry Battalion, under the Army’s 302nd Infantry “Achiever” Brigade based at Camp Leon Kilat in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental, to launch focused military operations.
Army Brig. Gen. Jason Jumawan, commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade, said the fatalities were members of the South-West Front (SWF), Komiteng-Rehiyon Negros.
Three of those killed were identified as Rolando Dantes, commander of the front operational command of the SWF, along with Robert Casipong and Gilbert Tingson, Jumawan said.
Government forces recovered eight high-powered firearms from the encounter site, including an M60 machine gun, an M14 rifle, four M16 rifles, an M203 grenade launcher, a grenade and four backpacks containing personal belongings, military reports said.
Army Maj. Gen. Michael Samson, commander of the 3rd Infantry “Spearhead” Division, described the operation as a significant blow to the remaining communist terrorist group elements in the region.
“This operation demonstrates the unwavering commitment of our troops, in partnership with local communities, to protect the people from threats and atrocities perpetrated by these armed groups,” Samson said in a statement.
Cooperation
He also noted the growing cooperation between civilians and the military, saying the information provided by residents reflected increasing public trust and confidence in government forces.
Jumawan said the latest encounter highlighted the “continued collapse” of communist rebel formations in Negros.
“The continued collapse of communist terrorist formations in Negros reflects the growing rejection of violent armed struggle by communities once exploited through intimidation, extortion, deception and fear,” he said.
Jumawan added that the dismantled SWF continues to suffer heavy losses, dwindling manpower and declining support from local residents.
According to him, military operations remain focused on protecting civilians and preventing communist remnants from re-establishing influence in vulnerable communities.
“It’s unfortunate that many lives were lost, but the troops had to defend the community, whose members are victims of the Communist Terrorist Group’s senseless killings through the ‘spy-tagging’ of innocent civilians,” Jumawan noted.
The military and police said about 10 armed individuals were initially involved in the encounter.
The Cauayan clashes came days after separate encounters in Toboso, Negros Occidental, where 19 alleged NPA members were also reported killed.
However, the National Fact-Finding and Solidarity Mission (NFSM) said the Toboso clashes claimed the lives of six civilian peasant advocates and organizers, refuting the military’s claim that all those killed were combatants.
The NFSM, which said it is composed of more than 100 human rights advocates, Makabayan lawmakers, church workers and activists, disputed the military’s account of the incident.
Military officials again called on remaining insurgents to surrender peacefully and avail themselves of government reintegration programs before more lives are lost in what they described as a weakening insurgency already rejected by many communities. —WITH A REPORT FROM IAN PAUL CORDERO
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