A New People’s Army (NPA)-Central Negros (Leonardo Panaligan Command) unit immediately responded and attacked 62nd IB troopers who indiscriminately fired at a civilian in Barangay Trinidad, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental on November 21.

Five 62nd IB soldiers reportedy opened fire at peasant Rene Nellas while he was on his farm in Sitio Columbia at around 10 a.m.. Nellas managed to run to safety.

Unknown to the military, an NPA-Central Negros unit was nearby. “Upon hearing the gunfire, the Red fighters immediately maneuvered and harassed the five fascist soldiers,” NPA-Central Negros spokesperson Ka JB Regalado said.

He said that the quick response of the NPA-Central Negros unit demonstrated its alertness to defend the masses against the Marcos regime armed forces’ fascist attacks. Ka JB praised the courage and determination of the Red fighters to act decisively.

The 62nd IB troopers were part of a 16-member unit that arrived in Sitio Columbia on the night of November 20. They positioned themselves near the houses, an act that endangered the civilian population.