3 NPA rebels die in clash with RPA-ABB
BACOLOD CITY — Three New People’s Army rebels were reported to have died in an encounter Sunday evening with members of the Revolutionary Proletarian ArmyAlex Boncayao Brigade (RPAABBF, a breakaway faction of the CPP-NPA, at sitio Bayabas in Barangay Bagong Silang of Salvador Benedicto town in Negros Occidental.
Colonel Eliezer Losañes, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, yesterday said no casualty was reported on the RPA-ABB side, but he added that his command is still validating the result of the encounter, as of this time.
A certain Ka Andot reportedly led the group of RPAABB members, who figured in an encounter with the NPA rebels.
Senior Inspector Joevito Bose, Salvador Benedicto Police chief, yesterday confirmed the death of a person, although he had withheld the identity. The police, however, has yet to establish the affiliation of the dead person.
But Mario Dulman, in an interview with Bombo Radyo, claimed that he and his two nephews, Reynold and Robert Selendron, were engaged in spear fishing at the Bago River in Bagong Silang village, when they were fired upon by some armed men.
It resulted in the death his nephew, Robert, Dulman added. Reynold however denied that they are NPA members, and that no encounter ever happened that time.
RPA-ABB spokesman Victorino Sumulong yesterday said that the encounter was triggered by an attempt of NPA rebels to raid a community where Ka Andot and his members, including their families, are residing at Brgy. Pinuwayan, which is sharing a boundary with Brgys. Bagong Silang and Bago in Salvador Benedicto.
Based on the assessment of Ka Andot, three NPA rebels were reported to have been killed, while several others were injured, Sumulong said, insisting however that there was trading of shots.
The reported encounter took place as the NPA rebels in Negros claimed responsibility for the death of RPA-ABB leader Charlie Boli-Boli at Brgy, Bagong Silang in an ambush, two months ago, as well as in the ambush-slay of Jovanie Banista, RPA-ABB district commander of southern Negros, last month.
The RPA-ABB and its political wing- Rebolusyonaryong Part i dong Mang gag aw a Pi lip in asentered into peace talks with the government in year 2000. However, the closure peace agreement between the RPAABB and government have yet to be signed.