A gun battle erupted between members of the Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (79IB) and more or less 10 New People’s Army (NPA) fighters in the mountainous area of Barangay Mabini in Escalante City, Negros Occidental Thursday night.
Based on information provided by the 303rd Infantry Brigade (303IB), the 79IB received reports from local residents on the NPA’s presence in the area, prompting them to conduct combat operations against the rebels.
Government forces traded bullets with the rebels for at least 10 minutes until the latter withdrew.
Brigadier Gen. Benedict Arevalo, 303IB commander, has yet to give an update as of yesterday, although reports suggest that some of the rebels surrendered to the 79IB hours after the battle, while others are still on the run.
The army did not suffer any casualties in the battle, although it is believed that some of the rebels may have been wounded in the fight.
The fight also forced Toboso town Mayor Richard Jaojoco to cancel classes in his municipality for the security of the students.
Local residents have also reportedly fled following the battle and are temporarily being sheltered in evacuation centers. The army and local government units have already provided food and medical supplies to the affected residents.
The 79IB is presently conducting hot-pursuit operations against the rebels.
https://thedailyguardian.net/negros/army-npa-clash-in-escalante/
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