3 NPA rebels killed, 1 soldier hurt in Negros Occidental clash

Three suspected communist rebels were killed while several others, including a soldier, were hurt in a fierce clash in Negros Occidental on Thursday. Major John Andrada, acting spokesman of the Army's 3rd Infantry Division and acting commanding officer of the 3rd Civil Military Operations Battalion, on Friday said the encounter happened in Sitio Dugma at Barangay Malatas in Calatrava town around noon. Andrada said troops were deployed to the area after getting information from villagers about activities of New People's Army (NPA) there. A 15-minute firefight erupted between the government troops and the alleged rebel soldiers, resulting in the death of three NPA members and the wounding of several of their companions. The military said the information on rebel casualties were based on statements of witnesses who saw the rebels scampering away from the site, carrying with them their wounded companions. Also hurt in the clash was Private First Class Rey Despabeladero but was declared to be in a stable condition already after receiving medical attention. Col. Jonas Sumagaysay of the Army's 303rd Brigade Commander, said the military was willing to extend medical assistance to the wounded rebels as part of the government's "commitment for peace initiatives." “It is really unfortunate that Filipino lives had to be lost in this worthless way," he added. The military also acknowledged the help it received from local villagers. “We are very much thankful that the populace are already cooperating with us," said ground commander Lt. Albert Dividina, company commander of the 62nd Infantry Battalion's Charlie Company. – VVP/LBG, GMA News