THE Regional Mobile Force Battalion-Negros Island Region (RMFB-NIR) clashed with New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Barangay Lalong, Calatrava, Negros Occidental on Sunday, June 14. (PRO-NIR)
BACOLOD CITY – The Regional Mobile Force Battalion-Negros Island Region (RMFB-NIR) clashed with New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Sitio Kabalagnan, Barangay Lalong, Calatrava, Negros Occidental on Sunday, June 14.
The Police Regional Office (PRO)-NIR said the 1st Platoon, 2nd Maneuver Company of the RMFB-NIR was conducting security assistance to a local government operations officer of Calatrava when the firefight erupted at 4 p.m.
A Quick Reaction Team (QRT) from the same unit responded to the area and extracted the operating team. No injuries were reported.
Recovered from the encounter site were broken pieces of a caliber 5.56 rifle, which are now subject to further examination and documentation as part of the ongoing investigation.
The RMFB-NIR closely coordinated with the Calatrava Municipal Police Station and Army 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) based in Barangay Tigbon, Calatrava, to strengthen area security and sustain pursuit and monitoring operations.
Additional maneuver companies were also placed on standby to provide reinforcement when necessary, while a scout platoon, along with another team from the 2nd Maneuver Company of RMFB-NIR, was deployed in the area.
The PRO-NIR assured the public that appropriate operational and investigative measures are being undertaken in coordination with partner security forces.
It encouraged the public to remain calm and refrain from spreading unconfirmed reports and rely only on official statements issued by legitimate authorities. “We remain committed to ensuring the safety and security of our communities,” the PRO-NIR stated.
The encounter happened almost two months since the clash in Barangay Salamanca, Toboso, Negros Occidental on April 19 where 19 NPA rebels, including notorious hitman and dismantled Northern Negros Front (NNF-D) leader Roger Fabillar Tapang, were killed.