By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental’s La Castellana town is generally peaceful amid the recent armed clashes between government forces and the New People’s Army (NPA), Mayor Rhumyla Nicor-Mangilimutan said during the 11th anniversary of the massacre in the town’s Barangay Puso on Friday, January 26.

Over a decade after the deadly ambush, Mangilimutan said there was a great improvement in peace and order in the town.

Law enforcers are now very active in responding to the needs of the residents, when it comes to peace and security.

Mangilimutan said the two recent encounters in Barangay Puso and Sag-ang were a product of proactive security measures being implemented by law enforcement agencies and various stakeholders.

The gun battles led to the death of two suspected rebels and the surrender of the NPA’s political instructor, as well as the recovery of four high-powered firearms.

The village has also seen improvements, with road networks now concreted.

A detachment of the Philippine Army was also established in the village.

La Castellana commemorated the 11th anniversary of the massacre of nine individuals in the town’s Barangay Puso last Friday.

Fr. Ivan Cantor officiated the mass to commemorate the anniversary, which was also attended by Negros Occidental 5th district Congressman Emilio Dino Yulo III, the Philippine Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion and the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force.

On January 27, 2013, eight civilians and a police officer were ambushed and killed by NPA insurgents.

The ambush also wounded 12 individuals.

The NPA claimed responsibility over the incident./DGB, WDJ