By JEN BAYLON
Three soldiers sustained minor injuries in another encounter with remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Negros Occidental’s Toboso town on Tuesday, March 18.
Colonel Erwin Rommel Lamzon, 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) spokesperson, said the injured soldiers are already recovering at a hospital and are now in stable condition.
Lamzon said the 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) troops responded to reports of atrocities in Barangay General Luna’s Sitio Bairan until they engaged at least seven members of the dismantled Northern Negros Front’s Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor (KR-NCBS).
The 16-minute firefight at 7:12 a.m. resulted in the seizure of an M16 assault rifle, a caliber .38 revolver, magazines for M16 and AK47 rifles, assorted ammunition, subversive documents of high intelligence value, and personal belongings.
The Army also recovered food supplies and various gadgets believed to be used by the armed group.
Additionally, authorities confiscated several high-powered firearms and ammunition, including explosives, which were allegedly intended for future attacks.
Intelligence reports indicate that the NPA remnants were planning to reestablish their operations in Northern Negros, using the recovered weapons and supplies to regain strength.
The latest encounter comes just 10 days after two high-ranking KR-NCBS officials were killed in an encounter conducted by the 79IB at Hacienda Paraiso in Cadiz City’s Barangay Caduha-an.
The slain KR-NCBS officers were identified as Hans Ponterasa, who was the acting regional front secretary and finance officer of the regional taxation implementing group; and Marissa Pobresa, a former squad leader of the platoon, which was previously part of the dismantled Central Negros 2 unit.
Pobresa was also identified as Ponterasa’s primary staff member and the group’s regional communication officer.
Meanwhile, 122 families or 412 individuals were forced to evacuate to nearby barangay centers for safety following the firefight, Toboso Councilor Richard Jaojoco confirmed yesterday.
The evacuees sought temporary shelter at the Hilario B. Amparado Elementary School and General Luna Covered Court, Jaojoco said.
They spent the night in the evacuation centers as the Army had not completed their clearing operations, Jaojoco said.
Local government officials and humanitarian organizations have since provided food, medical aid and temporary shelter to the displaced families.
Authorities are coordinating with the affected communities to ensure their safe return once the security situation stabilizes.
Toboso Mayor Madonnah Jaojoco suspended classes at all levels in Tabun-ac Elementary School in Barangay Tabun-ac, and in Barangay General Luna yesterday due to the encounter until further notice./JB, WDJ