Government soldiers clashed with members of the New People’s Army at Sitio Sig-ang, Barangay Carabalan in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, Thursday, October 6.
The mayors of Himamaylan and Binalbagan have suspended classes in affected areas, and evacuations were reported.
The encounter with 20 armed men believed to be members of NPA’s Central Negros 2 led to a 40-minute firefight.
Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said the troops of the 94th Infantry Battalion were responding to the information on the alleged sightings of armed men in the area.
No casualties were reported on the part of the Army.
Pasaporte said the rebels were believed to be targeting the community for their extortion activities, but were stopped after residents reported their presence to the authorities.
Recovered from the encounter site were some personal belongings of the NPA members.
CLASSES SUSPENDED
Himamaylan Mayor Raymund Tongson suspended classes in barangays Carabalan and Cabadiangan on Friday until further notice.
Binalbagan Mayor Alejandro Mirasol also ordered the suspension of classes at all levels in barangays Biao and Payao on Friday, October 7, due to the ongoing insurgency situation in Carabalan, Himamaylan.*