A New People’s Army (NPA)-Northern Negros (Roselyn Jean Pelle Command) armed action killed a 79th IB soldier operating in Sitio Cagayon I, Barangay Tamlang, Escalante City, Negros Occidental on June 1. The people’s army unit swiftly launched active defense against troops approaching their encampment.

The unit reported that aside from one confirmed dead in the 79th IB, others also sustained injures. Meanwhile, Red fighters safely maneuvered despite the enemy troops’ intensive deployment in the area.

“The valiant perseverance of the Red army is a slap to the repeated declarations of the reactionary state and its armed machinery that no more guerrilla front exist in the area,” NPA-Northern Negros spokesperson Ka Cecil Estrella said.

The soldier killed was identified as PFC John Rey Brasil. He was an active member of the military-formed youth group “Youth for Peace Movement Northern Negros Chapter.” He led the group’s summits and forums as part of the campaign to suppress the youth.

After the clash, the 79th IB intensified combat operations and militarization in the barangay. They forcibly evacuated 150 families or 554 individuals who temporarily stayed at Tamlang Elementary School for one day.

Meanwhile, Estrella refuted the claim of the military and police that the individual named Janjan arrested on the afternoon of June 1 was a Red fighter. He was reportedly apprehended at a joint police and military checkpoint in Barangay Mabini, Escalante City. Allegedly seized from him were a .45 pistol, explosives, and drugs.

“It is not surprising that the 79th IB and the police fabricate these claims out of desperation to smear the true soldiers of the people,” Estrella said. However, she said, the Negrosanon masses do not believe this, especially since they know their Red army’s character.