An alleged member of the New People's Army was killed, while a Scout Ranger trooper was injured in an encounter yesterday in Sitio Lagoc, Brgy. Menchaca, Calatrava, Negros Occidental.

Maj. Nathaniel Villasor, 303rd Infantry Brigade Civil Military Operations officer, identified the slain rebel through his identification card as Leo Sisbreno of Dumaguete City, and the injured soldier as PFC Jerwin Aragona.

Villasor said the firefight lasted for almost 30 minutes and the rebels reportedly headed by Ka Berto, withdrew towards Brgy. Bandila, Toboso, leaving behind the body of Sisbreno.

Aragona was rushed to a hospital in Bacolod City. Villasor said the Sisbreno also worked as project coordinator of the Negros Rural Assistance Program Corporation, as indicated in the identification card recovered from him.

In previous weeks, troopers of the 3rd SRC also encountered a group of rebels in Brgy. E.Lopez, Silay City, military records showed. Villasor said the Scout Rangers were still pursuing the fleeing rebels last night.

He also said the rebels encountered by Scout Rangers who are affiliated with the New People's Army Larangan Gerilya 3 may also be involved in the ambush-slay of two Army soldiers in Brgy. Libertad, Escalante on May 12.*GPB

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