Following a recent encounter between government forces and New People’s Army (NPA) insurgents in Barangay Cabcaban’s Sitio Kampong-oy, a community located in Bindoy, Negros Oriental, officials from the Philippine Army 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB) believe the rebel group may have suffered injuries or casualties from the ordeal.

According to 62IB commander, Lt. Colonel Egberto Dacoscos, government units were conducting operations in the area when they stumbled upon an undetermined number of NPA insurgents at a temporary encampment. A gun battle ensued for around five minutes, ending when the rebel group were forced to retreat.

He noted, several “blood trails” were spotted along the NPA’s withdrawal route, which indicates there may have been injuries or fatalities on the terror group’s side.

Soldiers also seized two M16 rifles, an M4 carbine, one sack of rice, cooking equipment, medical kits, hammocks, subversive documents, and personal belongings following the incident.

Dacoscos noted, the recovered subversive documents yielded valuable intelligence.

Hot pursuit operations are still being conducted in the area.

Earlier this month, after the 62IB engaged in a gun battle with NPA rebels at Sitio Santos-santos, located in Barangay Quintin Remo, Moises Padilla, “blood trails” were also detected.

Philippines Army 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, Brigadier General Benedict Arevalo, said the 62IB were conducting hot pursuit operations against the rebels responsible for the murder of Moises Padilla Municipal Councilor Jolomar Hilario.

The general believes the rebels in that encounter were part of the NPA Central Negros Front.

Meanwhile, following an encounter last week in Himamaylan City, government forces suffered injuries from a gun battle with NPA insurgents.

Dacoscos said seven 62IB personnel were wounded after rebels exploded improvised explosive devices when they overran their encampment.

He went on to explain, the use of anti-personnel mines is a “clear violation” of the Ottawa Treaty, which prohibits the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel mines. Also called the “Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention,” the policy took effect on March 1, 1999./DGB, WDJ