Military says 3 suspected NPA rebels killed in Negros Oriental clash; NPA denies encounter

Three alleged members of the New People's Army (NPA) were killed during a clash between government troops and suspected rebels in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental on Tuesday, July 26, the military said.

However, the NPA said no such encounter took place.

The information released by the Philippine Army's 3rd Infantry Division on Wednesday identified those killed as alleged finance officer Cristina "Chave" Jacolbe, 40; Rodan "DJ" Montero, 42; and Everly Kee "Kaye" Jacolbe, 18.

The military claimed that these individuals were part of the Central Negros 1 (CN1) of the Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor (KR-NCBS). They were allegedly involved in extortion activities in Canlaon City, La Castellana, and Moises Padilla.

Authorities said government troops were conducting combat patrol in Barangay Macagahay in Moises Padilla when they received information about the supposed presence of rebels in the nearby barangay.

They immediately responded, which resulted in a 10-minute firefight in Sitio Natuling, Barangay Budlasan.

Government troops seized the following from the encounter site; one KG9 with a magazine, two .45 cal. pistols with two magazines, one .38 revolver, one gauge shotgun, some NPA documents, and personal belongings.

In a separate statement, the NPA Central Negros condemned the incident and claimed that the weapons in the encounter were planted. The group also branded the incident as a "massacre."

"Walang katotohanan ang sinasabing may naganap ng engkwentro sa pagitan ng tropa ng 62nd IBPA at NPA," NPA Central Negros spokesman JB Regalado said.

(The reported encounter between the military and the NPA was not true.)

"Tinaniman lamang ng baril ang mga nasabing biktima. Ninakaw din ng mga nasabing tropa ng militar ang mga personal na gamit at pera ng mga biktima," Regalado added.

(The state forces planted the firearms. They also stole the personal belongings and money of the victims.)

Regalado also claimed that Cristina Jacolbe was a former daycare worker and was red-tagged by state forces, forcing her to leave her work.

Meanwhile, Major General Benedict Arevalo, 3rd ID chief, said the recent encounter was a "result of the unending support of the local populace to the Army by giving them accurate and reliable information on the whereabouts of these NPAs."

“With these noteworthy accomplishments, your Army in Western and Central Visayas are glad that we were able to reduce the NPA's strength and firearms,” Arevalo said in a press release. —KG, GMA News