2 Army intel operatives shot dead in Negros

BACOLOD CITY: Two intelligence officers of the Philippine Army’s 47th Infantry Battalion (47IB) were gunned down by suspected New People’s Army rebels in Barangay Camindangan in Sipalay City, Negros Occidental before noon on Thursday, November 24.

A report from the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office identified the fatalities as Sgt. Regie Glindro, 39, of Sigma, Capiz, and Staff Sgt. Ken Camilan, 41, of Barangay Tapi, Kabankalan City.

Glindro and Camilan were conducting a reconnaissance operation when they were ambushed along a hilly portion at Sitio Camboguiot, the report said.

“A group of armed men with unknown caliber of firearms shot both victims, hitting them on the different parts of the body that resulted in their instantaneous death,” the report added.

The fatalities were intelligence operatives of the 47IB based in Barangay Haba of the neighboring Candoni town.

The report also said that the five armed men fled on board two motorcycles toward Barangay Camindangan, Sipalay City.

Pursuit operations are ongoing, the police said.

Brig. Gen. Leonardo Peña, 302nd Infantry Brigade commander, however, clarified that Glindro and Camilan’s visit in Sitio Cambogiot had nothing to do with their intelligence work. He said they were there to coordinate for a “local peace engagement.”

Photos released by the Negros police showed the victims also sustained wounds aside from those caused by gunshots.

Personnel from the 47IB arrived at the ambush site Friday morning and conducted clearing operations.