A suspected New People’s Army red fighter was killed, and three others were reported injured, when government soldiers overran a rebel camp in Sitio Mag-asawang Bukid, Brgy. Camindanngan, Sipalay City, Negros Occidental, 11 a.m. yesterday.

Lt. Col. Rodrigo Sosmena, 47th IB commanding officer, said he believes that they were able to pre-empt the reported plans of the NPA to conduct tactical offensives in Sipalay City, following an encounter with about estimated 30 rebels led by Bernard Alvarez, who replaced the slain Armando Sumayang, as commander of the South West Front Committee.

Sosmena said the identity of the slain NPA member had not been established as of press time, while civilians who had relayed the information on the presence of armed men in the area, reported that three rebels were also injured.

The encounter also led to the seizure of the rebel camp, that has seven temporary makeshift huts and bunkers, and could accommodate about 40 persons

Government troopers also recovered an M-16 assault rifle bandolier with two short magazines containing bullets, from the body of a slain rebel, seven military and civilian back packs, 10 jungle hammocks, ponchos, medical kits, a cellular phone, kitchen utensils, personal belongings and subversive documents.

Sosmena said the rebels may have been using the temporary camp as their training ground.

He admitted that they have been bracing for rebel tactical offensives in southern Negros, who may hit telecommunication facilities, mining firms and other soft targets.

Juanito Magbanua, spokesman of the Apolinario “ Boy” Gatmaitan Command, said in a statement they issued, that the NPA will intensify its tactical offensives in Negros, so it can contribute to the national goal of entering the stage of strategic stalemate in the years to come.

The NPA claimed responsibility for the summary execution of a rebel returnee and a former government militiaman in Calatrava and Moises Padilla, as well as the burning of a tractor in La castellana, in the past three weeks.

Sosmena said they are still pursuing the fleeing rebels, while members of the PNP Scene Of the Crime Operatives have been dispatched in the area, to conduct an investigation of the incident .* GPB

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