BACOLOD CITY – The Army 15th Infantry Battalion (IB) seized a temporary hideout of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Sitio Tunap, Barangay San Jose, Sipalay City, Negros Occidental, following an encounter with at least 15 communist guerrillas on Saturday, September 16.
The gun battle with remaining members of the weakened Platoon 3 of South West Front (SWF) lasted for about 10 minutes.
However, it displaced five families composed of 13 individuals in Sitio Patio-tio, Barangay Gil Montilla, Sipalay City.
Soldiers recovered a .45 caliber pistol with magazines and ammunition, a homemade shotgun with ammunition, cellular phone, medical paraphernalia, personal belongings, and subversive documents.
No casualties were reported on the government side.
Military working dogs are tracking the NPA withdrawal route to detect presence of Anti-Personnel Mines (APM).
Lt. Col. Michael Cuarteros, 15th IB commander, said the people’s cooperation demonstrated their willingness to prevent the presence and resurgence of the armed group in their community.
It underlines their unwavering commitment to fight terrorism and maintain their safety and well-being, he added.
He assured that the Army will continue to intensify its efforts to dismantle the SWF with a goal to bring long-lasting peace and stability in their area of operation.
Major Gen. Marion Sison, 3rd Infantry Division (ID) chief, said that there will be no letup in their focused military operations until the NPA has no place to hide.
The City Social Worker Development Office (CSWDO) has provided assistance to affected families who have yet to return home.
The Army said the gunfight occurred after residents reported the presence of an armed group that demanded food and conducted recruitment to recover their mass base.