Red fighters of the Leonardo Panaligan Command of the New People’s Army successfully foiled the attack of combined troops of the 62nd Infantry Battalion and the 33rd Division Reconnaissance Company (DRC, the 3rd Infantry Division’s elite troops), with enemy casualties suffering 5 killed-in-action (KIA). The counteroffensive was mounted earlier today at around 6 AM in Sitio Halog, Barangay Sandayao, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental. After the 5-minute firefight, the NPA unit successfully retreated, unharmed.

The military action also serves as response to the masses’ call for justice as intense militarization in the area has resulted to grave human rights violations, including the 62nd IB’s cold-blooded murder of farmer Arnold Suerte in the same barangay last January 15.

The LPC-NPA vows to continue waging tactical offensives against fascist troops, most especially units of the AFP with crimes against the people in Central Negros. ###