More than 1,700 residents evacuated to safer areas following an encounter yesterday in Sitio Santos-Santos, Brgy. Quintin Remo, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, between Philippine Army soldiers and New People’s Army rebels, linked to the killing of town Councilor Jolomar Hilario on Sunday.
The running gunbattle that lasted more than an hour led to the injury of an Army soldier and the recovery of three improvised explosives devices and war materials, among others, Lt. Col. Egberto Dacoscos, 62nd Infantry Battalion commander, yesterday said.
Dacoscos said that they are still verifying information that about 14 of the 20 NPA rebels encountered by 62IB troopers were either killed or injured, based on testimonies of residents in the area, who had seen them being dragged away by their fleeing comrades.
He added that the encounter was an offshoot of their pursuit operations against the NPA rebels responsible for the death of Hilario, who was killed inside his residence in Brgy. Inolingan, Moises Padilla, Sunday.
The fleeing rebels, on board three cargo trucks, were monitored to have fled towards Brgy. Quintin Remo in Moises Padilla, as reported to authorities by a barangay official.
Police Capt. Junji Liba, Moises Padilla police chief, yesterday said that he expects an increase in number of evacuees from the hinterland sitios of Brgy. Quintin Remo, that was recorded at more than 1,700 as of press time, with residents of Sitio Tibobong also evacuating.
Of the 1,700 Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs), 800 are staying at the Quintin Remo barangay proper, 500 in Brgy. Montilla, 200 each in Brgy. Guinpanaan, and at the town poblacion, Liba said.
He added that the municipal government of Moises Padilla already dispatched relief goods to the evacuees, as the Philippine Army soldiers are still in pursuit of the fleeing rebels in the Quintin Remo hinterland sitios.
Graduation ceremonies in some schools in the remote sitios of Quintin Remo and neighboring hinterland barangays were also reported to have been disrupted by the armed skirmishes.
Liba also said they already have some persons of interest in the killing of Hilario, and have identified the owner of the three cargo trucks used by the NPA rebels.
Hilario was running for re-election as Moises Padilla councilor under the slate of Mayor Magdaleno Pena, who was acknowledged by the Philippine Army for his help in the capture of Frank Fernandez, secretary of Komiteng Rehiyonal-Negros , and his wife and deputy. Cleofe Lagtapon, in Laguna, two weeks ago.
Dacoscos also said that the killing of Hilario had also something to do with the capture of Fernandez.
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2019/April/02/topstory1.htm
The fleeing rebels, on board three cargo trucks, were monitored to have fled towards Brgy. Quintin Remo in Moises Padilla, as reported to authorities by a barangay official.
Police Capt. Junji Liba, Moises Padilla police chief, yesterday said that he expects an increase in number of evacuees from the hinterland sitios of Brgy. Quintin Remo, that was recorded at more than 1,700 as of press time, with residents of Sitio Tibobong also evacuating.
Of the 1,700 Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs), 800 are staying at the Quintin Remo barangay proper, 500 in Brgy. Montilla, 200 each in Brgy. Guinpanaan, and at the town poblacion, Liba said.
He added that the municipal government of Moises Padilla already dispatched relief goods to the evacuees, as the Philippine Army soldiers are still in pursuit of the fleeing rebels in the Quintin Remo hinterland sitios.
Graduation ceremonies in some schools in the remote sitios of Quintin Remo and neighboring hinterland barangays were also reported to have been disrupted by the armed skirmishes.
Liba also said they already have some persons of interest in the killing of Hilario, and have identified the owner of the three cargo trucks used by the NPA rebels.
Hilario was running for re-election as Moises Padilla councilor under the slate of Mayor Magdaleno Pena, who was acknowledged by the Philippine Army for his help in the capture of Frank Fernandez, secretary of Komiteng Rehiyonal-Negros , and his wife and deputy. Cleofe Lagtapon, in Laguna, two weeks ago.
Dacoscos also said that the killing of Hilario had also something to do with the capture of Fernandez.
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2019/April/02/topstory1.htm
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