2 NPA rebels surrender in Negros

GOVERNMENT troops captured two New People’s Army rebels and seized seven high-powered firearms after a firefight in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental last Wednesday.

Troops from the Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion were conducting a combat operation when the 15-minute clash broke out in Barangay Buenavista, the AFP Visayas Command (Viscom) said.

Viscom said the encountered rebels were from a weakened NPA guerrilla front, Central Negros 2, which is under Komiteng Rehiyon Negros, Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor.

“After the firefight, two NPA terrorists yielded to the troops, as they were left behind by their comrades who withdrew in disarray knowing that the government troops would conduct pursuit,” said Viscom spokesman Lt. Col. Israel Galorio.

Troops recovered three M16 rifles, two M14 rifles, an M14 rifle, a Garand rifle, magazine assemblies, assorted ammunition, a generator, personal belongings, and rebel documents.

The encounter came a day after a series of clashes between Army soldiers and NPA rebels in Cauayan, Negros Occidental that led to the death of two insurgents.

Viscom commander Lt. Gen. Benedict Arevalo said the military will continue to be relentless in its efforts to end the insurgency problem in the Visayas.

“With these series of setbacks, the CPP-NPA in the region are now hard pressed against the wall and we intend to keep it that way,” Arevalo said.

“We will not give them a space to breathe. They will only have two options, either return to the folds of the law and live or continue wasting their lives and die for nothing,” added Arevalo.

Arevalo commended the troops for their “unwavering commitment to defeat the NPA and end their reign of terror in the Visayas region.”

“As to the few remaining members of the terrorist group, your days are numbered. Lay down your arms now and return to the folds of the law while you still can,” said Arevalo.