5 suspected NPAs killed in Negros Oriental clash

Five suspected New People's Army (NPA) rebels were killed during an encounter with government security forces in Mabinay, Negros Oriental on Thursday.

The military said the 30-minute encounter involved members of the 11th Infantry Battalion, 94th Infantry Battalion, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 7 and Mabinay police. The clash transpired at 12:45 a.m. at Sitio Talingting in Barangay Luyang.

Prior to the clash, security forces obtained information about the supposed presence of a wanted personality who was with the group of armed men occupying two houses at Sitio Talingting, the military said.

While cops and soldiers were approaching the area to issue the warrant of arrest against one Sayas Ribilista, suspected communists fired shots at them.

This prompted government forces to return fire, the military said.

The bodies of the suspected NPAs were recovered by the government forces after the clash. Ribilista was among those killed during the encounter, the military said.

They also seized three M16 rifles, one AK47 with a defaced serial number, a caliber .45 pistol with a defaced serial number, three AK47 magazines, four rifle grenades, an improvised explosive device, assorted magazines and ammunition, and some subversive documents in the area of encounter.

Lieutenant Colonel Ramir Redosendo, commanding officer of the Army's 11th Infantry Battalion, said what happened was a clear manifestation that the local residents no longer want to be deceived by the lies of the communist rebels.

Redosendo urged residents to continue reporting the presence and lawless acts of NPA members in their areas to authorities.

“I would to like to commend the residents of Barangay Luyang for reporting the presence of armed men in their area, and I urge the people of Negros Oriental to continue reporting the presence of these NPA terrorists in their communities for us to prevent their terroristic activities," he said.

"Likewise, we extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of those killed communist-terrorists. Taking up arms against the government and the Filipino people will never address and resolve conflict and issues,” he added. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA News