By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Philippine Army’s 15th Infantry Battalion (15IB) overran a lair allegedly owned by the New People’s Army (NPA) at Barangay San Jose’s Sitio Tunap in Negros Occidental’s Sipalay City on Saturday, September 16.

Lt. Colonel Michael Cuarteros, 15IB commander, said they deployed their troops to the site after locals informed them that they had spotted the presence of armed individuals.

The NPA members were allegedly extorting food from the local residents and enticing individuals to join the insurgency.

They are believed to belong to Platoon 3 of the South West Front.

The skirmish lasted for roughly 10 minutes until the 15-member NPA group decided to withdraw from the area.

Government forces confiscated a loaded .45 caliber pistol, a homemade shotgun, mobile phones, medical paraphernalia, a transistor radio, a 200-meter long electrical wire, jungle packs, subversive documents, and personal belongings.

Authorities also discovered blood stains on the NPA’s withdrawal route, believing one of them may have been wounded in the clash.

Cuarteros said the local community’s cooperation demonstrates their willingness to prevent the presence and resurgence of the armed group in their community.

He further said it also underlines their unwavering commitment to fighting terrorism and maintaining their safety and well-being./DGB, WDJ