BACOLOD CITY – Three soldiers were wounded in an encounter with the New People’s Army in Sitio Bairan, Barangay Gen. Luna, Toboso, Negros Occidental on Tuesday, March 18.
SAMSON (FB)
The 3rd Infantry Division said that the 79th Infantry Battalion was responding to reports of atrocities in the area when they engaged at least seven members of the dismantled Northern Negros Front Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros Cebu Bohol Siquijor in a 16-minute encounter.
Col. Erwin Rommel Lamzon, 3rd ID spokesperson, said that three soldiers were wounded -- a corporal, a private first class, and a private -- and recovering in a hospital.
Recovered in the area were an M16 assault rifle, a caliber .38 revolver, magazines for M16 and AK47, ammunition, subversive documents with high-intelligence value, and personal belongings.
Major Gen. Michael Samson, 3rd ID commander, said the campaign against insurgency continues but their efforts are not solely focused on military action.
“We understand that some individuals may still be caught in the cycle of violence. We extend a hand of peace. Lay down your arms, and choose a different path,” Samson said.
400 evacuees
More than 400 individuals were displaced by the encounter.
One-hundred twenty-two families or 412 individuals were affected as of Wednesday, March 19. Eleven families or 36 individuals are staying outside an evacuation center.
Toboso Councilor Richard Jaojoco said that they are awaiting clearance from the Army or the police to allow residents to return home.
Jaojoco said that affected residents were provided with food and hygiene kits.
He added that financial assistance will be given to them through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).
Lamzon said there was no immediate need for an evacuation as the encounter site was far from the residents.
He said that the evacuation was a precautionary measure initiated by the municipal government and the barangay for the safety of residents.
“We would never engage a community just to flush out enemies. Our priority is always to avoid involving civilians,” he said.
Lamzon said pursuit operations are ongoing and they anticipate further skirmishes as communist remnants are now scattered.
The encounter erupted barely two weeks after the 79th IB also engaged NPA rebels in Hacienda Paraiso, Barangay Caduha-an, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental where two high-ranking NPA leaders on the regional level were killed.