400 individuals displaced anew in Negros clash between gov’t troops and NPA rebels

From the Manila Bulletin (May 12, 2023): 400 individuals displaced anew in Negros clash between gov’t troops and NPA rebels (By GLAZYL MASCULINO)

BACOLOD CITY – The Army 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde) reported that 122 families composed of 441 individuals were evacuated following a clash between government forces and the New People’s Army (NPA) in Sitio Dangalon, Barangay Hilamonan, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental on Thursday, May 11.

MAYOR Benjie Miranda visits some residents who were affected by a clash between the military and New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay Hilamonan, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental on Thursday, May 11. (Photo courtesy of Bulig ni Mayor Benjie Miranda via Facebook)

Capt. Melvin Rosal, civil military operations officer of the 303rd IBde, said the clash also affected some residents of Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City since the fighting happened at the boundaries of the two cities.

Sixty-one families or 232 individuals were evacuated to the gymnasium of Barangay Hilamonan, while three families or 15 individuals were brought to the Barangay Buenavista Hall.

Also, 24 families or 136 individuals were admitted to the Paloypoy Integrated School, and 34 families or 170 individuals stayed at the Paloypoy Church, both in Barangay Buenavista.

Rosal said the local government of Himamaylan and Kabankalan distributed food packs to the evacuees. He added that they already gave a clearance for them to go home.

According to the Army, the encounter happened while the troops of the 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) were conducting combat operations in response to information about the alleged presence of about 15 armed members of SDG Platoon, Central Negros 2 in the area, who were allegedly extorting medicines for their wounded comrades involved in the May 3 encounter in Barangay Buenavista.

Seized from the encounter site were an M16 rifle, M4 rifle, two short magazines for M16, 11 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, a bandolier, backpack, and personal belongings.

The May 3 encounter also displaced some residents, and brought injuries to two soldiers and a civilian. An NPA rebel was also killed.

Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin, 303rd IBde commander, said the recovery of high-powered firearms will surely weaken the capability of the NPA to stage their activities in the province.

Edralin warned the NPA rebels of relentless and more aggressive combat operations in the coming days and weeks, as they are determined to wipe out the NPA rebels in Negros.

“If they refuse to surrender peacefully, we will hit them hard to prevent them from conducting more illegal activities and atrocities,” he said.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/5/12/400-individuals-displaced-anew-in-negros-clash-between-gov-t-troops-and-npa-rebels