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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider Calm, vigilance urged in aftermath of encounter

Calm, vigilance urged in aftermath of encounter

Published May 18, 2026 01:31 pm
BACOLOD CITY – Mayor John Rey Tabujara urged residents of Cauayan, Negros Occidental to remain calm and vigilant in the aftermath of encounters where five New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in Barangays Abaca and Poblacion on Saturday, May 16.
Tabujara asked the people of Cauayan to cooperate with authorities and stressed that they will not tolerate any threat to their safety, security, and well-being.
The local government strongly condemned the violence, intimidation, and disturbance caused by the NPA that displaced  74 families in Barangays Man-uling, Abaca, and Poblacion.
“These acts have disrupted the peace of our communities and placed innocent civilians in distress,” the mayor said in a statement.
He said the encounter between the Army 15th Infantry Battalion (IB) and NPA was a legitimate operation and a collective effort of the local government and the community in addressing insurgency.
“Without the cooperation of the community, it would not be easy to determine the whereabouts of those who were killed,” Tabujara added.
Tabujara said they will sit down with the municipal council to declare the NPA as persona non grata.
He assured that the town is safe and that the Army is doing their job.
Tabujara said they remain in close coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines to secure affected areas, protect communities, and restore peace and order.
He appealed to the NPA to avail of government programs instead of fighting for many decades and still not gaining freedom or peace. “I condemn what is happening now, with the current situation. Many lives have been lost because of joining the NPA,” he said.
Tabujara stressed the importance of collective effort in addressing insurgency so that no more lives will be lost. “We need to help each other in order to suppress this group,” he added.
He said the municipal government will assist families of the five fatalities.
The local government has extended assistance to displaced families who underwent stress debriefing and awareness campaign.
Major Gen. Michael Samson, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division (ID), said that the successful neutralization of the five communist rebels is a significant setback and information provided by the people reflects their growing trust and confidence in the Army.
Samson assured that they will sustain intensified focused military operations to prevent fleeing rebels from regrouping and thwart attempts to sow fear and disrupt the lives of the people.
The 3rd ID called on the NPA to abandon the armed struggle, surrender peacefully, and avail of the government’s programs for their safe return to mainstream society.

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NPA Cauayan Negros Occidental Mayor John Rey Tabujara
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