By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
At least two soldiers were killed while four others were wounded following a gun battle between government forces and New People’s Army (NPA) rebels at Sitio Tiyos, Barangay Quentin Remo in Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental on Wednesday afternoon, November 3.
Authorities have yet to identify the casualties, pointing out their next of kin have yet been informed of the incident.
Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) spokesperson Captain Kim Apitong said there were two encounters that took place. The first encounter with the NPA insurgents took place when troops of the 79th Infantry Battalion clashed with at least 25 NPA rebels with the gun battle lasting for at least one hour.
The rebels then encountered the units belonging to the 62nd Infantry Battalion a few hours later.
Following the gun battle, the army’s casualties were immediately airlifted to a hospital in Cebu City for treatment, however, two would later succumb to their wounds.
The four others, meanwhile, are now in stable condition.
Apitong said the NPA rebels are also believed to have suffered casualties in the fight, pointing out that government forces spotted the rebels dragging at least four individuals believed to have been either critically wounded or killed.
The NPA’s casualties were further evidenced by the presence of bloodstains in the positions previously held by the insurgents.
According to Apitong, the rebels were about to do extort on a contractor in the area who was assigned to construct a road which would connect the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental.
They have also intercepted information that the rebels were also planning to attack another road project in neighboring Guihulngan City in Negros Oriental which was already close to completion.
Government forces recovered three backpacks, two mobile phones, two portable gas stoves, and the insurgents’ personal belongings.
3ID commander Major General Benedict Arevalo, meanwhile, said they will not allow the NPA insurgents to stage atrocities and conduct their extortion schemes in the region.
“As I direct our troops to conduct relentless military operations against these terrorists, I encourage all Negrenses to join our fight against this terrorist group by continuing providing information about their plans and activities and further preventing them from casting more terror,” Arevalo added.
NOCPPO ON HEIGHTENED ALERT
Meanwhile, the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) has alerted all their stations in the province to be on “heightened alert” following the clash in Moises Padilla.
NOCPPO deputy spokesperson, Police Lt. Abegael Donasco, said it is the mandate of all police chiefs not to be complacent.
Donasco said threat or no threat, police in the province should remain cautious with their surroundings./DGB, WDJ