The Philippine Army confirmed that their troops had an encounter with members of New People’s Army in Guihulngan town in Negros Oriental, last night, July 4, resulting to the killing of 1 identified member of the NPA.
In a statement the 303rd Brigade said their soldiers from the 62nd Infantry Battalion encountered members of NPA in the hinterlands of Guihulngan around 7 P.M. An encounter transpired between the troops after receiving information from the populace on the presence of terrorist NPAs who sowed fear among the populace in the hinterlands of Sitio Pitik-Pitik, Brgy Luz, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.
The firefight between the government troops and the NPAs lasted for about five (5) minutes. After which the enemy scampered in different directions leaving 1 killed NPA member identified as Randy Tapales, member of NPA terrorist.
He was identified by PNP Guihulngan and had two existing warrants of arrest. He is also a suspect in the killing of Col. Quiocson last July 2020.
The army said that no casualty on the government side and the troops are still conducting pursuit operations on the fleeing NPAs.
Meanwhile, 303rd Infantry Brigade Commander Brigadier General Inocencio Pasaporte PA said, “The Army is in control of the situation. We assure everyone that despite the pandemic crises, we will not put our guards down and we will continue to go after this terrorists NPAs who continues to sow fear in the communities. We will pursue the NPAs to eradicate them in Negros Island,” he added.
This story was updated to reflect the latest update on the encounter, including the confirmation of Philippine Army of one casualty on the side of the rebel group.
