The suspected New People's Army rebel, who recently died in an encounter with the 6 th Regional Public Safety Battalion, in Escalante City, Negros Occidental, turned out to be a barangay official, the military said yesterday.

Lactao, the 303 rd Infantry Brigade commander, said the slain rebel identified Edgar Sagure Lopez, were the purok president of Brgy. Jonob-Jonob, Escalante City.

Lactao said he was alarmed by the affiliation of an active barangay official with the NPA.

Police Officer 1 Jonas de los Reyes, a member of the 2 nd Maneuver Platoon of the 6 th RPSB, and a civilian were also injured in the encounter in Brgy. Paitan, Escalante last week, police records also show.

Lactao said he will discuss with Mayor Melecio Yap the affiliation of a barangay official of Escalante to the NPA.

Police troopers recovered a CPP-NPA red flag, assorted subversive documents, and combat packs containing personal belongings, and empty shells of assorted high-powered firearms at the encounter site in Brgy. Paitan, Escalante City.

Before Lactao said the slain rebel could not be found in his barangay, for almost a month before his death.

He added that they received reports that three rebels were also injured in the gunbattle, and they are now validating this.

The recent encounter in Moises Padilla,Negros Occidental, also led to the injury of a member of the Army's 11 th Infantry Battalion.* GPB

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