BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – A suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebel was killed and another was captured after two simultaneous encounters with Philippine Army soldiers in the hinterlands of Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.
Colonel Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Brigade commander, said the encounters transpired in the vicinity of Sitio Tabago in Guihulngan City’s Barangay Sandaya around noon on Aug. 14.
The 62nd IB soldiers were on combat security patrol, tracking down the suspected rebels when the encounters ensued.
A 30-minute running gun-battle followed while helicopter gunships were also deployed to the area in Guihulngan City for troops insertion.
Lieutenant Colonel Melvin Flores, 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB) commander, identified the fatality as 21-year-old Rickim Remasog, a resident of Barangay Luz in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.
The arrested alleged NPA fighter was identified as 20-year-old Rennel Remasog.
Aside from the two, Flores said 62IB troops also managed to rescue two female minors who were allegedly recruited NPAs. T
He, however, refused to name the two minors for security concerns.
Flores believed the communist rebels they have engaged with are the same individuals involved in extorting food supplies from residents in the neighboring Barangay Quintin Remo in the town of Moises Padilla in Negros Occidental.
The clash also resulted in the slight wounding of two soldiers.
Based on information they received, the Remasogs were members of the NPA’s Leonardo Panaligan Command’s SYP Platoon CN1.
During clearing operation, government forces recovered a .22-caliber M1 carbine, two .45-caliber pistols, several rounds of ammunition, three cartridge cases from a 40-mm grenade ammo, a commercial radio, half-sack of rice, and a 20-meter wire for an improvised explosive device.
Following the clash, Flores slammed the NPA for recruiting minors in their ranks and their use of landmines which is a violation to the International Humanitarian Law.
Flores again appealed to the NPA combatants to surrender.
“If they refuse, our soldiers will use the full force of the law to protect the people,” the Army official warned. (With a report form PNA/PN)
