The bodies of three unidentified suspected NPA rebels were found following a series of encounters with the 94th Infantry Battalion in Sitio Bugne, Barangay Oringao, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, on Saturday and Sunday, February 4 and 5, the Army reported.
Kabankalan Mayor Benjie Miranda said 283 families with 822 individuals had evacuated to the Oringao covered court as of Sunday afternoon.
The encounters took place at 5 p.m. Saturday and 6 a.m. Sunday.
Fed-up by the rebels’ daily extortion of food, the Sitio Bugne residents reported their presence prompting the 94IB soldiers to conduct a security operation, the Army reported.
While in the vicinity of Sitio Bugne, the 94IB soldiers encountered 15 armed rebels. Sensing the overwhelming firepower of the government troops, the NPAs scampered in different directions leaving behind their three dead comrades, the Army said.
After scouring the area, the troops recovered an M-14 rifle, .38 caliber pistol, .45 caliber pistol, and backpacks with personal belongings and subversive documents.
There was no casualty on the government’s side, the report said.
Col. Orlando Edralin, 303rd Brigade commander, lauded the immediate response of the 94IB soldiers headed by Lt. Col. Donald Almonte, to the information given by the locals.
“The bravery that you exhibited during the series of security operations for the people of Negros, especially in Kabankalan is incomparable,” Edralin said.
Edralin also commended the vigilance of the local populace in giving the troops accurate and significant information.
He called on the remaining NPAs to surrender with their firearms and avail of the government reintegration program to start a new and normal life with their families.*