The Philippine Army’s says a five minute firefight broke out between elements of the 11th Battalion 3rd Division of the Philippine Army in a counter insurgency operation. "One soldier and two New People’s Army (NPA) member was killed in a five minute encounter between troops of Alpha Company, 11th Infantry Lapu-lapu Battalion and an undetermined number of NPA members at the vicinity Sitio, Natae, Brgy Bucalan 7:30 a.m. Saturday." Maj Enrico Illeto said in an emailed press release.
The reports reports further indentified the soldier ‘Killed in Action’ as Pfc Edmund Prieto. Meanwhile the Amry report also says. 2 Dead men the Army says were NPA members and identified them as, "Argie Villasan and Elmer Cañete, allegedly members of an NPA SPARU (Special Partisan Unit) unit, were left behind at the scene."
A alleged NPA member, the press statement goes on to say, was the source of the identies of the two alleged NPA SPARU members killed in the firefight, Maj Ileto’s news release said, "Ronnel Josalita, whose house was where the encounter ensued was captured. He also identified the two dead NPA members."
Recovered from the encounter site were two Caliber .45 pistols, as well as four magazines for a M1911 type .45 semiautomaitc pistol and 23 rounds of .45 cal ammunition, The report says further that aside from the firearms a fragmentation grenade and "documents of high intelligence value." were recovered at the scene of the firefight.
The 3rd divisions press release says the men killed are believed part of a unit that has been targeting members of the Paramilitary village militia organized under the AFP’s Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary forces. Several have been victims of SPARU operations in Negros. The latest victim was CAA Dandy Quilanan who was killed on Thursday at Sitio Tubod, Barangay Macagahay, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental.
Another CAA, Paquito Lacton, was hit by allegedly by the SPARU partisans, "unarmed at that time while on his way home with his wife, was gunned down on Tuesday by suspected NPA SPARU members at the vicinity of Barangays Makilignit and Sikatuna of Isabela, Negros Occidental." leading to the Army’s deployment to the area to assist the National Police units deployed there.
“Our hearts are saddened with the death of one of our soldier. His demise did not come in vain. His contribution for peace in Negros will definitely be remembered”, said Mgen. Jose Z. Mabanta Jr., Commander of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Spearhead Division.
“The NPA’s organizing the SPARU is a result of their realization that they cannot make a head-on fight with government troops. As such they resort to targeting unarmed soldiers and CAFGUs”, added Mabanta in the news release.
“We will continue to hunt them down”, Mabanta added while Ltc Wilfredo Isaac, 11IB Commander said, “We have coordinated with the Philippine National Police Scene of the Crime Operative (PNP SOCO) for an investigation of the crime scene.”
No statements have been released by the rebels on the encounter between forces alleged to thiers and the Philippine Army in Negros Oriental.