7 suspected NPA rebels killed in Negros Occidental clash

Seven suspected New People's Army (NPA) rebels were killed in an encounter in Barangay Tapi, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental on Sunday, April 27.

The fatalities included four women and three men, identified as remnants of the dismantled South West Front, Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros Cebu Bohol Siquijor (SWF (D), KR-NCBS).

Among the casualties were a high-ranking couple: Reniel Locsin Cellon, alias Kumpol, a squad leader and former commanding officer, and his wife Mary Jane Maguilat, alias Shonie, vice squad leader.

Other identified rebels included political instructors Jhon Isidor Supelanas (alias Dalia) and Jhonrey Mejares (alias Jai), medics alias Pitong and Glendel Tinio Mejares (alias Ayin), and Charity Amacan (alias Cha), a squad leader and former secretary.

Lieutenant Colonel Erwin Lamzon, spokesperson of the Army's 3rd Infantry Division, stated that Ka Kumpol (Reniel Locsin Cellon) had an arrest warrant for murder issued by the Philippine National Police.

The clash began at approximately 5:30 a.m. when soldiers responded to a report involving two alleged NPA groups, and there were no casualties on the military side.

Recovered from the site were several firearms, including M16 rifles, an M203 rifle, a sub-9 mm machine gun, an M203 grenade launcher, and 9mm guns.

The bodies were taken to a funeral parlor, and the encounter site has been cleared.