BACOLOD City – A Philippine Army soldier was wounded after the 62nd Infantry Battalion (62nd IB) troopers engaged in a gun battle against the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Barangay Quintin Remo, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Egberto Dacoscos, the soldier sustained a gunshot wound on the right shoulder and already received medical treatment.
Dacoscos said the firefight lasted for about an hour around 9:20 a.m. on Monday.
The encounter happened after the troops conducted a hot pursuit operation following the death of the Moises Padilla incumbent councilor Jolomar Hilario.
Hilario – the town’s No. 4 councilor – died of multiple gunshot wounds early morning on Saturday.
He was declared “dead on arrival” at the Elumba Medical Clinic in La Castellana, Negros Occidental.
The suspects carried high-powered firearms and were transported by three cargo trucks.
They claimed to be members of the NPA, said municipal police chief Captain Junjie Liba./PN
