DUMAGUETE CITY — The Philippine Army recently confirmed the death of an individual believed to be a member of the New People’s Army during an encounter in the far-flung barangay of Milagrosa in Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental last Saturday morning.
In its report, the 11th Infantry Battalion disclosed that the recovered body of the slain rebel has yet to be identified.
It added that seized from the clash site were one M653 rifle, one anti-personnel mine, four magazines for M653 (20 rounds cap), three magazines for M653 (30 rounds cap), 40 rounds 5.56 mm ball, an electrical tester, three lithium batteries, one bandolier, five backpacks with personal belongings, tarpaulin and food stuff.
The 11IB said that the encounter came two days after a government soldier was killed at the same encounter site in Sitio Taleo as government troops were conducting strike operations against remnants of the NPA’s dismantled South East Front following information of armed men in the area.
In the first encounter, troops seized two caliber .45 pistols, three magazines for Caliber .45, 11 live ammunition for Caliber .45, one hand grenade and personal belongings.
Maj. Gen. Marion Sison, 3rd Infantry Division commander, vowed to continue their operations against the rebels.
“This incident (death of a soldier) will not dampen our spirits but will further serve as our motivation to aggressively pursue the remaining members of the Communist Terrorist Group,” Sison said.
“We will make sure that this ultimate sacrifice paid by our soldier-hero will not be in vain. We will not rest until none of them remain to continue their futile and senseless armed struggle,” he added.