BACOLOD CITY – A temporary encampment of the New People’s Army was seized by Army soldiers, who also recovered war materials, following series of encounters on Sunday in Barangay Santo Niño, Tanjay City, Negros Oriental.
The series of encounters between 11th Infantry Battalion soldiers and combined remnants of the dismantled South East and South West Fronts of the Komiteng Rehiyonal – Negros, led to the killing of an Army trooper and slight injuries to another soldier.
Recovered from the encounter sites were a hand grenade, long and short magazines of caliber .45 and M16 assault rifles containing ammunition, along with personal belongings and subversive documents.
Brig. Gen. Jason Jumawan, 302nd Infantry Brigade commander, disclosed that rebels in southern Negros are trying to consolidate their mass-based organizations and lost territories, following their forces in southern Negros almost facing decimation.
In a press briefing on Monday, Jumawan said they will not allow the NPA to recover their mass bases in Negros Oriental.
In a statement, the leadership of 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) commended the relentless efforts of its troops in preventing rebel remnants from resurging, as it also honored the heroism of the Army soldier who paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect communities from the local communist terrorist group.
“We will ensure that the sacrifice of our soldier will never be in vain. His courage and heroism will fuel the 3ID’s resolve in putting the rebel group to its final end,” said its commander, Maj. Gen. Michael Samson.
Samson further urged the Negrenses to sustain their support for peace initiatives. (Gilbert Bayoran via tvds)