Following recent clashes between government forces and elements of the New People’s Army (NPA), Kabankalan City is under consideration as a potential “election hotspot” with the upcoming midterm polls scheduled for May.

In a radio interview, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, Colonel Benedict Arevalo, explained the recent incidents could be used as basis for the designation.

The army official, however, said the public should not be alarmed since they are in control of the situation. He also assured security at polling precincts once elections are underway.

Arevalo added, they will further strengthen monitoring of NPA activity.

Last week, government forces from the 15th Infantry Battalion exchanged gunfire with NPA rebels at Sitio Pacama in the city’s Barangay Magballo. The clash was the second recorded in a week after another clash involving the NPA and the army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion in the city’s Barangay Hilamonan, which ended with at least one soldier wounded in the battle.

In a subsequent social media post, the army battalion called the attacking rebels a “bunch of mad dogs” and “desperate in getting their revenge” after their Himamaylan City hideout was earlier captured./DGB, WDJ