Two soldiers were killed and four others were injured in an encounter with New People’s Army rebels in Sitio Tiyos, Barangay Quintin Remo, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, 3:40 p.m. Wednesday, November 3.
The combined elements of the Army’s 62nd Infantry (Unifier) Battalion and the 79th Infantry (Masaligan) Battalion successfully prevented planned attack and extortion of the CPP-NPA terrorist during the encounter,
Capt. Kim Apitong, 3rd Division Public Affairs Office OIC, said Thursday, November 4.
This, after the troops launched combat operations in response to information from concerned citizens on the presence of NPA terrorists consolidating in Sitio Tiyos, he said.
The group was planning to stage attacks and intensify their extortion scheme in the area, Apitong said.
While assaulting the enemy position, the troops encountered more or less 25 NPA rebels, he added.
The firefight ensued for about one hour as the rebels continued to retaliate to enable their other members to withdraw, he said.
The enemy suffered major losses as they were seen dragging away their at least four comrades, Apitong said.
Bloodstains were seen on their withdrawal route as pursuing units continued to hunt the terrorist group in the southwest direction, he added.
The encounter resulted in the death of two government soldiers and the wounding of four others who are now in stable condition, he said.
They were immediately evacuated to Visayas Command by Black Hawk helicopters of the Philippine Air Force.
At about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday blocking forces also encountered about seven withdrawing NPA terrorist members. The rebels withdrew towards the east direction, Apitong said.
Recovered from the encounter site were three backpacks, two cellphones, ammunition, four large cooking pots, various enemy belongings, and supplies, Apitong said.
Prior to the encounter, there were reports that the NPA rebels planned to attack the ongoing Hilaitan-Trinidad Farm to Market Road in Guihulngan City. The project is already 90 percent completed and is constantly being secured by the government forces, he said.
MGen. Benedict Arevalo, 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division, commander, said that the Army will not allow the CPP NPA terrorist to stage atrocities and conduct their extortion scheme in the region.
“As I direct our troops to conduct relentless military operations against these terrorists, I encourage all Negrenses to join our fight against this terrorist group by continue providing information about their plans and activities and further preventing them from casting more terror,” Arevalo added.*