• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Renewed armed clashes erupted anew in central Negros, following an encounter yesterday between five suspected members of the New People’s Army and soldiers of the 62nd Infantry Battalion, according to 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, Col. Michael Samson.
Samson said the brief gun battle claimed the life of another NPA member in Sitio Banderahan, Brgy. Trinidad, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental. However, his identity has not yet been determined as of press time.
He said that a caliber .45 pistol was recovered at the encounter site, along with the cadaver of the slain rebel.
The five-man NPA teams, according to Samson, are believed to be members of the Central Negros Front 2 under the Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor.
A day earlier, a NPA combatant also died in a gun battle with 94IB soldiers and police troopers in Brgy. Carabalan, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, resulting in the recovery of five assorted guns, including two M16 rifles, an M4 assault rifle, an M14 rifle and an M79 grenade launcher.
The identity of the slain rebel has not yet established.
On the same day, six unidentified persons also burned a farm tractor owned by the Chua Corporation in Brgy. Inayawan, Cauayan, also in Negros Occidental.
PMaj. Gary Alan Resuma, Cauayan police chief, said they cannot yet ascertain whether the arsonists are NPA members.*