BACOLOD CITY – The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office is investigating the encounter between the 62nd Infantry Battalion and the New People’s Army in Moises Padilla town, Negros Occidental province on Oct. 28.

The incident claimed the life of a six-year-old boy believed to have been hit by the indiscriminate firing of the fleeing rebels.

In a statement on Thursday, NOCPPO Director Police Col. Dennis Wenceslao said they are exerting all efforts to establish the circumstances of the incident and ensure accountability while extending assistance to the child’s family.

“We deeply sympathize with the family of the young victim. NOCPPO will leave no stone unturned in ensuring a transparent and just investigation in coordination with the Philippine Army and all concerned agencies,” he added.

The encounter took place a few minutes before 9 a.m. in Sitio Matal-i in Barangay Quintin Remo.

After a brief firefight, the rebel remnants under the NPA Central Negros 1 fled, and the boy from Sitio Inangaw was later found to have been killed by a stray bullet.

The Moises Padilla Municipal Police, led by Police Capt. Armel Lasap, coordinated with the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to conduct verification and initial investigation.

The victim’s remains were brought to the Nalagon Funeral Homes, and a post-mortem examination will determine the cause of his death.

Wenceslao said police investigators assisted the victim’s parents in executing their sworn statements.

He added that coordination meetings have started between the 62nd IB, the Moises Padilla police, and the Regional Mobile Force Battalion-Negros Island Region.

“The NOCPPO continues to work closely with the 62nd IB and local government authorities to maintain peace and order in Moises Padilla and nearby areas. Ensuring the safety and welfare of civilians remains paramount,” Wenceslao said.

In an earlier statement, Brig. Gen. Jason Jumawan, commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade, said the communist rebels have been conducting extortion activities in the area, and the soldiers were deployed to ensure the safety of the residents.

“The soldiers were compelled to defend themselves while remaining mindful of the civilians nearby. Their primary intent was to push the terrorists away from the populace and secure the community,” he added.

Jumawan said the NPA was fully aware that the place was populated, yet they attacked the soldiers without hesitation or regard for civilian safety.

“We strongly condemn this inhumane and barbaric act of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front by attacking our troops in a populated area that endangered civilian lives,” he said. (PNA)