STA. CATALINA, Negros Oriental -- Three suspected members of the New People's Army reportedly died in an encounter between about 30 NPA rebels and patrolling soldiers of the 61st Infantry Battalion in Sitio Haluay, Barangay Nagbinlod here, the military said yesterday.

Lt. Col. Norman Flores, 61st IB commander, yesterday said he received information that three alleged NPA members were killed Tuesday and that their bodies were carried away on horseback by their companions. He said they are still determining the identities of the reported casualties.

Flores said there could be other casualties and injured rebels transferred to other places in the barangay that had not been reported to him.

He appealed to residents not to allow the burial of reported casualties but to return their remains to their families because they deserve decent burials.

The encounter Tuesday led to the discovery another rebel training camp in the area near a creek line of Sitio Haluay, Brgy. Nagbinlod, Sta. Catalina town and can accommodate at least 100 persons, Flores said.

Senior Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe, Oriental Negros provincial police director and several Bacolod media yesterday joined Flores and his troopers in an ocular inspection of the area, during which they recover kitchen utensils, plastic balloons reportedly used as target marks, flashlights, an empty bandolier and plastic containers, among others.

Earlier, the 61st IB Bravo Company recovered a .357 magnum revolver and homemade shotgun from Rowell Lastimiso, alias "Tata", and M-16 assault rifle with a magazine containing ammunition, Flores said.

Flores and Buenafe said the discovery of the camp indicates the presence of rebels under the Larangan Guerilla-5 Unit of Misael de la Cruz, alias Ka Jimlan.

Buenafe said the local police unit of Oriental Negros has vowed support and assistance to the 61st IB to counter insurgents in the area. He said intelligence reports showed the LG5 unit has members aged 18 to 20. The rebel unit has also used children, aged 16 and below as helpers and errand boys.

Buenafe is advising parents to monitor the activities of their children so they will not be lured by these groups.

Meanwhile, Flores congratulated his men for their job and the residents in the area who gave the information about the activities of the LG0-5 unit in the area.*DMG

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