2 rebels killed in AFP, NPA clash in Escalante

From the Visayan Daily Star (Nov 17): 2 rebels killed in AFP, NPA clash in Escalante

Government troopers and suspected New People’s Army rebels figured in an encounter yesterday in Sitio Puting Bato, Brgy. Washington in Escalante City, Negros Occidental, that reportedly claimed the lives of two communist rebels, a military officer said.

Col. Benedict Arevalo, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, yesterday said that an M16 assault rifle, a 45 caliber pistol, a bandoleer with six magazines containing 120 rounds of ammunition, two sacks of rice, two water containers, assorted personal belongings, as well as subversive documents, were recovered at the encounter site.

But Arevalo said they were not able to recover the two slain rebels, as they could have been carried away by their withdrawing comrades, or being hidden in the area.

Before the encounter at about 10 a.m. yesterday, Arevalo said they had already received reports of armed men being sighted in the area, where the NPA rebels managed to establish their “mass-based organizations”.

The pursuit operations against the estimated 10 communist rebels, who were reported to have been seeking refuge in Sitio Puting Bato, which is a coastal area, are still underway, as of this time, he added.

Militant organizations Bayan Negros and Pamalakaya claimed that there is an ongoing militarization in Brgy. Washington, Escalante City, and its neighboring barangays, in the guise of counter-terror action against the supposed Abu Sayyaf elements, who landed in the coastal areas of northern Negros.

Arevalo laughed off such claims, saying that the NPA and its allied organizations are hallucinating, and trying to divert their attention, by fabricating stories.

The running gunbattle lasted for about 15 minutes, and the NPA rebels withdrew in separate directions, leaving behind the firearms and ammunition, among other items, he added.

No casualty was reported on the government side.

Arevalo justified the establishment of checkpoints and sealing off of the area, to prevent the escape of withdrawing rebels.

In his visit to various infantry units, Arevalo told Army soldiers not to wait for the NPA to attack them.

“We will attack them first before they attack us,” he said.

Arevalo also enjoined Negrenses to report the presence of NPA rebels in their communities, to prevent them from committing more atrocities.

Escalante City Mayor Eddie Montero yesterday said that the situation has already been managed and “is under control”.

Montero encouraged Escalantehanons to stay calm and remain vigilant, as they go back to normal activities.

“Rest assured that the City Government, particularly our local police, is doing the best we can to ensure our safety and maintain peace and order in Escalante,” he added.

 http://www.visayandailystar.com/2018/November/17/topstory1.htm