By CESAR JOLITO III

A soldier from the 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) was killed following a brief encounter with remnants of the Northern Negros Front (NNF) at Barangay Tamlang in Negros Occidental’s Escalante City on Monday afternoon, June 1.

The identity of the fallen soldier was withheld at the request of his family, 79IB civil military officer 1Lt. Fevie Fajardo said.

The clash occurred past 2:00 p.m. and lasted for about five minutes between government troops and alleged members of the rebel group.

Fajardo said the military conducted combat operations in the area to prevent alleged planned atrocities by the NNF and to address previous shooting incidents reported in the locality.

The Philippine Army expressed deep sorrow over the death of the soldier, describing his sacrifice as part of continued efforts to secure communities in Northern Negros.

Military personnel also recovered personal belongings believed to belong to the fleeing rebels after they withdrew from the encounter site.

Follow-up dragnet operation

Following the armed clash, joint military and police forces immediately launched dragnet and checkpoint operations in nearby areas, including Barangay Mabini in Escalante.

During the operation, authorities arrested a suspect identified as Johnril Bacalso, 41 years old, a resident of Barangay Jonobjonob’s Sitio Napungalan in the city.

He was earlier identified by police under the alias “Jan-jan.”

Police said the suspect was flagged down but allegedly refused to stop, abandoned his motorcycle and fled on foot.

During the pursuit, the suspect reportedly drew a caliber .45 firearm, prompting officers to chase and eventually arrest him.

Recovered from his possession were a caliber .45 pistol, a magazine, and five rounds of ammunition.

Bacalso will face charges for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, along with other possible cases arising from the operation./CCJ, WDJ