The 94th Infantry Battalion soldiers seized firearms and ammunition in two encounters with remnants of New People’s Army Central Negros 2 at Sitio Bulasot, Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, on Sunday, October 1.
The first engagement occurred at 8:15 a.m. when the 94IB soldiers received reports from the villagers of the presence of armed NPA rebels conducting extortion and harassment activities in the area, Capt. Eduardo Rarugal Jr., 94IB Civil Military Operations Officer, said.
The 94IB swiftly mobilized its forces, which resulted in a 10-minute firefight with the NPA rebels and the recovery of one M653 5.56mm rifle, ammunition and subversive documents, he said.
The 94IB soldiers pursuit operations against the withdrawing rebels resulted in a second encounter at 9:33 a.m. and recovery of another M653 5.56mm rifle, one long magazine, three short magazines, a bandolier and two backpacks, Rarugal added.
Lt. Col. Van Donald Almonte, 94IB commander, said “These successful operations stand as a testament to the unwavering commitment of the 94th Infantry Battalion to maintain peace, stability, and security in Central Negros. The help of the villagers is a clear manifestation that the NPAs have lost their control over their former mass bases”.
He appealed to the remaining NPA rebels “to surrender and be reunited with their families and former comrades who were reintegrated into the community and are already living peacefully in the folds of law with the support of the government”.
“Together, we will continue working tirelessly to build a peaceful and prosperous future for the victims of communist ideology”, Almonte added.*