DUMAGUETE CITY – A suspected member of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) was killed while another was captured during a clash with the Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB) in Barangay Budlasan, Canlaon City, Negros Oriental at sundown Friday.
Killed during the 5-minute clash was 22-year-old Anthony Arances Curson, single, and a resident of Sitio Natuling in Barangay Budlasan, while 46-year-old Leonido Sta. Ana Montero, married, of Sitio Malatanglad, also in Budlasan, was captured.
They are reportedly members of the Small Guerilla Unit, Central Negros Front 1 of the Komiteng Rehiyon Cebu Bohol Negros and Siquijor of the NPA.
Lt. Col. William Pesase Jr., 62IB commanding officer, told the Philippine News Agency on Saturday that Army troops rushed to Sitio Malatanglad when civilians reported the presence of armed men, which resulted in a brief firefight with about five to seven suspected NPA rebels.
Two caliber .45 pistols, several rounds of live ammunition, two magazines, and two sling bags, were recovered after the firefight. (PNA)