BACOLOD CITY - A member of the Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) was wounded after engaging in a clash with suspected New People’s Army (NPA) at Sitio Ulot, Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on Wednesday.

Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde), said the military troops along with the 33rd Reconnaissance Company, figured in a brief firefight with about 10 unidentified armed men when they responded to reports on the alleged presence of armed men reportedly doing extortion activities in the area.

Pasaporte said the injured soldier suffered a slight gunshot wound in his right arm. He is now stable and scheduled for discharge from a hospital here.

Pasaporte also said that three rebels were believed to be wounded in the encounter based on the bloodstains found at the enemies’ position.

Soldiers continue to track the armed men, Pasaporte said.

Meanwhile, some residents of Barangay Bi-ao, Binalbagan town condemned the atrocities staged by the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTG).

The activity came a month after the NPA ambushed the patrol car of the town police force on Feb. 13. Two policemen suffered injuries in the ambush.

Policemen were supposed to respond to a shooting incident at that time when they figured in the firefight. The said shooting incident was also claimed by the NPA, identifying their target as an asset of the government forces.

At least 150 residents joined the condemnation rally at the town’s gymnasium on Tuesday, wherein they withdrew their support to the CTGs and burned the NPA flag.

Lt. Col. Van Donald Almonte, newly-installed 94th IB commander, thanked the residents for their cooperation to resolve the insurgency problem in the province.