BACOLOD CITY – Troops from the 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) are pursuing remnants of the New People's Army (NPA) led by wanted hitman Roger Fabillar following two clashes in Calatrava, Negros Occidental on Monday.

In a statement, the 79th IB said the separate encounters took place between 8:35 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. in Sitio Proper, Barangay Minautok.

"This group is also responsible for the killings of innocent civilians in the villages of Escalante City. Pursuit operations are ongoing," it said.

Soldiers engaged about seven remnants of the dismantled NPA Northern Negros Front, who later withdrew toward different directions, the report said.

A soldier was wounded in the first encounter. The skirmishes displaced at least 25 households, Residents are staying in temporary evacuation centers.

For three years now, the 79th IB has been offering a P1-million cash reward to anyone who could provide information that would result in the arrest of Fabillar, who is facing a string of murder cases in northern Negros.

The bounty was raised by concerned stakeholders and private individuals who wanted to hasten the manhunt against Fabillar and his group.

Fabillar, who goes by the aliases “Arnel Tapang,” “Jhong,” and “Nono,” is believed to be in his 30s.

He was identified as the main suspect behind the series of killings in Calatrava, including Chairman Benjamin Javoc of Barangay Lalong, and Renato Estrebillo and Rodel Nobleza of Barangay Marcelo over the past several years.

Fabillar was also linked to the death of Councilor Benito Hubahib of Barangay Cambayobo. (with PNA)