Troops Clashed with NPA in NegOr, 2 Rebels Killed

Armed Forces of the Philippines–Central Command (AFP-CentCom) reported an encounter between the 79th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army and some NPA rebels, 6:30 am on Thursday last week with two rebels killed and one wounded at Barangay Balayong, Pamplona, Negros Oriental.

AFP-CentCom also reported that while the platoon unit of Charlie Company, led by 1Lt. John Tumamao of the Philippine Army conducted security operations in the said area, they recovered five high powered firearms (HPAs), all M16 rifles.

In a press release, CentCom information officer Navy Lieutenant Jim Aris Alagao said “We extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of those killed. It is tragic that they have taken arms against the Filipino nation when the people understand that only through peace can development and social justice be attained.”

In the same report CentCom Commander Major General John Bonafos, disclosed that the encounter is a government initiated security operation to ensure the state of normalization in the Province of Negros Oriental and to convince other NPA armed groups to lay down their arms and return to the mainstream society.

“Our government has an Integration Program to those armed groups who would want to live a normal life,” Bonafos added.

The encounter also proved that the local residents do not want to go back to the situation where they are always living in fear and intimidation from the armed group of the NPA, Bonafos said.

AFP-Centcom said that at present, helicopters of the Philippine Air Force’s 2nd Air Division are on standby to support the operation of the Army troops.

Lieutenant Alagao also said that one M653 grenade launcher was also found in the area aside from the five high powered firearms.

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