BACOLOD CITY – At least 700 individuals belonging to more than 100 families were displaced following two clashes involving the government troops and a band of suspected New People’s Army fighters in Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on Thursday, Oct. 6.

BGen. Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of the Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade, said that the residents were evacuated for their safety as the government troopers were conducting clearing operations in the area.

Pasaporte said that troops of the 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) were responding to reports on the alleged presence of armed men at Sitio Sig-ang when they encountered at least 20 suspected NPA rebels in the morning.

Another clash happened later that day, with no casualties reported.

Pasaporte dismissed reports circulated on social media that two children were killed in the two clashes.

He said there was no reported body count in the area.

The following day, another encounter ensued in the same village as government troops belonging to the 62nd IB engaged a band of armed men believed to be the same group the 94th Infantry Brigade had encountered earlier, said Pasaporte.

Pasaporte said that affected residents will remain at the evacuation centers until the area is cleared from any threat.

Mayor Raymund Tongson Jr. also ordered the suspension of classes in Barangays Carabalan and Cabadiangan on Friday, Oct. 7 until further notice, due to the insurgency situation.

Meanwhile, Pasaporte, along with Lt. Col. Van Donald Almonte, 94th IB commander, aboard Philippine Air Force Blackhawk aircraft, conducted aerial reconnaissance in encounter site areas on Friday.

The purpose of the aerial reconnaissance was to provide real-time information to the ground force commanders and to have an accurate view of the encounter site especially in the areas of Barangay Carabalan.