Over 300 evacuated from three barangays –CDRRMO

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Following the evacuation of San Carlos City’s Barangay Nataban last Monday, amid the gun battle between the Philippine Army 79th Infantry Battalion (79 IB) and suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in neighboring Barangay Guadalupe, San Carlos City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) head Joe Alinsaga said many still fear continued conflict.

In a radio interview yesterday morning, Alinsaga said many evacuees believe they may be caught in crossfire if they were to return home.

He also noted, currently, over 300 were evacuated, with additional families seeking refuge from city barangays Guadalupe and Buluangan.

The CDRRMO head said the city government continues to provide relief goods to affected residents, with the army also assisting displaced families.

Earlier this week, a gun battle erupted after 79 IB units discovered a suspected NPA camp in Barangay Guadalupe.

The rebels were later pushed back into Negros Oriental, with no casualties reported on the army’s side.

Government forces were deployed to the area after residents in the vicinity complained of harassment by the NPA rebels./DGB, WDJ