2 encounters in a day recorded in Negros Occidental

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 22, 2020): 2 encounters in a day recorded in Negros Occidental (By Jemin B. Guillermo)

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 22 (PIA) -- A few hours after the troops of 62nd Infantry Battalion encountered the members of CPP-NPA Terrorist in Canlaon City, the joint elements of Army’s 94th and 11th Infantry Battalion (IB) figured in a separate encounter with more or less 12 communist-terrorists at Sitio Amian in Barangay Tan-awan, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental on Thursday, September 17.

The encounter happened at around 3:20 p.m. while the troops were conducting clearing combat operations in response to persistent reports from the local populace on the presence of the communist-terrorists conducting recruitment activities in the mountainous area of Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental and in the adjacent municipality of Ayungon, Negros Oriental, a press release from the 3rd Infantry Division’s Public Affairs Office said.

“The exchange of firefight lasted for about 25-minutes. After which, the communist-terrorists withdrew for fear that they will be collared by the operating troops. No one was hurt on the government side,” it noted

Captured from the encounter site include one M16 rifle, one cal.45 pistol, one 357 revolver, four riffle grenades, one hand grenade, 15 assorted magazines with ammunitions, five backpacks, three bandoliers, three cell phones, one solar panel, assorted medicines and medical paraphernalia, subversive documents and personal belongings.

In his statement, 3ID Commander Major General Eric Vinoya said “the encounter shows that the Army with the support of the local populace is winning against the communist-terrorists.”

“The successive encounters should not suggest for a worsened peace and order situation in the island of Negros but an indication that our units have been hitting them very effectively. Our soldiers intend to pursue them wherever they are in order to free the communities from their illegal activities,” Vinoya said.

He added “We also acknowledge the nonstop support of the local populace to the Army especially on giving accurate and timely information. Their realization to support government initiatives came right on time; we are grateful for the trust and the confidence of the community on their Army.” (PIA6/3IDPAO/PA)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1053903