BACOLOD CITY – One-hundred sixteen families composed of 580 individuals were evacuated following encounters between the military and New People’s Army in Sitio Tagok, Barangay Carol-an, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental on Monday, May 6.
MAP shows the location of Kabankalan City in Negros Occidental.
Lt. Col. J-jay Javines, spokesperson of the Army 3rd Infantry Division, said the evacuees were temporarily sheltered at the barangay gymnasium.
The first encounter broke out around 3:39 p.m. when troops of the 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) responded to a report on the alleged presence of suspected remnants of the dismantled Central Negros Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros Cebu Bohol Siquijor.
An hour later, the military figured in another clash against the fleeing NPA. No injuries were reported on the government side.
Recovered from the encounter site were four assault rifles, 5.56mm M16, an assault rifle, 5.56mm carbine, two rifle grenades, two magazines, long M16, a short magazine, a bandolier, and two backpacks.
Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin, commander of 303rd Infantry Brigade, said the encounter prevented the NPA from executing their plan to conduct intimidation and extortion activities against indigent communities in the hinterland barangays of Kabankalan. He thanked residents and barangay officials for providing timely information to the military.
Major Gen. Marion Sison, 3rd ID commander, underscored the importance of surrendering to the government and embracing peace while there is still time.
Meanwhile, the NPA has claimed responsibility over the death of a businessman in Barangay Camindangan, Sipalay City, Negros Occidental on May 3.
The Armando Sumayang Jr. Command (ASJC)-NPA Southwest Negros Guerrilla Front said they targeted 37-year-old Donie Bacoli for being a chief barangay watchman and an intelligence asset of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
However, Police Capt. Judesses Catalogo, Negros Occidental police spokesperson, said that Bacoli resigned as chief village watchman last year.
Catalogo said that Bacoli’s family do not believe that the NPA was behind the incident as they have a different person of interest and motive. He also said that the family has submitted an affidavit of non-interest on the case.