By Nanette Guadalquiver
BACOLOD CITY – A squad member of the dismantled New People’s Army (NPA) Central Negros 2 (CN2) front was killed in a renewed clash with the Philippine Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion (94IB) in the hinterlands of Himamaylan City in Negros Occidental Friday afternoon.
In a report on Saturday, the 3rd Infantry Division (ID) identified the fatality as Jun-Jun “Gringo” Benoy, 24, a resident of Sitio Ompocon in Barangay Mahalang.
Soldiers responded to information on the presence of armed rebels and engaged about five of them at Sitio Bugtangan, Barangay Buenavista at around 4:30 p.m.
They found an M16 rifle and the personal belongings of the rebels after the encounter.
In a statement, 3ID commander Maj. Gen. Michael Samson commended the collaboration between the troops and the community in the neutralization of another NPA remnant.
“This combat operation is part of our ongoing drive to cripple the remaining elements of the communist-terrorist group and ensure that they do not regain strength in Negros,” he said.
Samson reiterated his call for the remaining NPA fighters to surrender and avail of the benefits under the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program. (PNA)
