By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
Two high-powered firearms were seized from the New People’s Army (NPA) in the latest encounter at Barangay Hilamonan in Negros Occidental’s Kabankalan City on Thursday, May 11.
The 94th Infantry Battalion (94IB) recovered an M16 assault rifle, an M4 rifle and personal belongings abandoned by the NPA fighters.
Also recovered were 11 rounds of 5.56mm live ammunition, a bandolier and a backpack.
Lt. Colonel Van Donald Almonte, 94IB commander, said they received information from a concerned citizen about the presence of armed NPA insurgents in Sitio Dangalon.
A 15-minute gun battle ensued in the area around 6:00 p.m.
Almonte said the 94IB did not suffer casualties, although several NPA members may have been wounded as bloodstains were discovered on their withdrawal route.
The NPA they encountered was also believed to be from Central Negros 2.
In a statement yesterday, 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde) commander, Brigadier General Orlando Edralin, said the 15-member NPA group were spotted asking for medicines for their wounded troops in an encounter in the adjacent Himamaylan City’s Barangay Hilamonan last week.
“The capture of the high-powered firearms will surely reduce the capacity and weaken the capability of the communist-terrorists to stage terroristic activities in Negros Occidental,” Edralin said.
Almonte has also acknowledged the residents for providing information and village officials for their cooperation and vigilance.
Meanwhile, 553 individuals have fled their homes following the encounter.
Data from the Philippine Army as of yesterday showed there were three families consisting of 15 individuals staying at the Buenavista Barangay Hall; 24 families (136 individuals) at Paloypoy Integrated School; 34 families (170 individuals) at Paloypoy Church; and 61 families (232 individuals) at Barangay Hilamonan Gymnasium.
The City Social Welfare and Development Office provided food packs for the displaced residents.
Earlier this month, a clash took place at Barangay Buenavista’s sitios Paloypoy-Daku and Ulo-Tuburan, which resulted in the death of NPA fighter, 36-year-old Crispin Tingal of Barangay Hilamonan’s Sitio Dangalon./With reports from PNA / DGB, WDJ