In response to last Friday’s clashes between members of the military and law enforcement against suspected rebels of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay Washington, Escalante City, the National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW) over the weekend criticized the “militarization” of northern Negros,

In a statement, the group denied an encounter took place at all, claiming soldiers had “swarmed” the entire area.

“The so-called encounter happened only around 10:00 am, according to the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines),” the statement read. “Classes in the nearby elementary school was already ongoing at that time.”

“Before the so-called ‘encounter,’ teachers and students were ordered by soldiers to stay down, indicating that soldiers were already planning on firing their weapons,” the group added.

NFSW also claimed soldiers with no name plates occupied several homes in the area, telling residents “Islamic rebels” were spotted in the area. However, a statement issued by Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office director, Police Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Castil, Jr., confirmed the police and army were deployed to the area as they could not afford to wait to be attacked and harassed by the NPA.

“The government forces are ready any time to initiate a counter-offensive operation to arrest and thwart any treacherous plans by NPA,” Castil said.

He added, the recent encounter favors government forces and the community.

The law enforcement official pointed to “vital information” provided by the neighbors of alleged NPA coddlers, along with a barangay official acting as mediator between the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force and AFP with the local populace, along with the suspected NPA members reportedly hiding in a home owned by a certain Elena Yap

Castil added, the NPA is using the community as a shield while collecting revolutionary taxes and concocting evil plans against the government.

He also stated, government forces made a significant discovery following the encounter, stating, one of the individuals allegedly coddled by Yap is a suspects in the ‘Sagay 9’ incident.

“The puzzle of the ‘Sagay 9’ incident is now clear that, behind of the incident, was the NPA,” he added./DGB, WDJ