By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Philippine Army 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB) arrested six suspected New People’s Army (NPA) members following a firefight early Saturday morning at Sitio Tumonon in Barangay Luyang, Mabinay, Negros Oriental.

“While on [a] security patrol at Sitio Tumonon, [around] 20 armed men, believed to be NPA rebels, fired on security forces, which prompted the troops to retaliate,” said 62IB commanding officer, Lt. Colonel Darrel Bañez.

He noted, prior to the encounter, government troops were conducting peace security patrols and discovered rebel camps in Barangay Samac, Mabinay and Barangay Panciao, Manjuyod.

Among the six arrested included a University of the Philippines Cebu alumnae and two minors.

Recovered from the scene were several high-powered firearms, rifle grenades, explosives, among other “war fighting materials.”

Last week, the Negros Oriental Philippine National Police and the 62IB revealed they were conducting patrols amid reports of NPA sightings in Bindoy and other nearby localities.

According to local residents, armed men had been visiting homes in the area asking for food and requesting to be quartered./DGB, WDJ