Soldiers, NPA clash in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental

From the Philippine Information Agency (Apr 19, 2020): Soldiers, NPA clash in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental (By Jemin B. Guillermo)

ILOILO CITY, April 19 – Three soldiers were killed and four others were wounded when troops from the Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion encountered undetermined number of NPA terrorists in Brgy Carabalan, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental at 10 a.m. today, April 19, 2020.
In a press release issued by the Civil Military Office of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army, it reported that the troops were conducting community security patrol in connection with the distribution of Social Amelioration Program (SAP) of DSWD to support the affected families due to COVID-19 pandemic disease in the nearby barangay.

“They received series of reports regarding the presence of armed groups who were conducting extortion activities in the communities forcing the people to give money and rice,” the report added.

According to 303rd Infantry Brigade Commander Colonel Inocencio Pasaporte, the soldiers were close in getting the NPA terrorist group when an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded and hand grenades were thrown inflicting immediate casualties among the soldiers. A 30-minute firefight ensued after the explosion.

“The soldiers are still pursuing the NPAs terrorist who were seen dragging their dead and wounded comrades,” said Colonel Pasaporte.

A Lieutenant and a soldier died during the fierce firefight while another one expired while being evacuated. Military choppers were sent to evacuate the wounded soldiers who are now recuperating in a hospital in Bacolod City. Their names are still withheld until such time that their families are informed."

“We express our deepest sympathy to the families of our hero-soldiers who died fighting for the peace in Negros Island,” said Colonel Pasaporte.

He added that the Army will heighten its operations to capture the NPA terrorist and stop them from sowing fear in the communities. (CMO/303rd Infantry Brigade-PA/PIA6)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1039457