Cauayan Mayor John Rey Tabujara on Sunday, May 17, condemned the “violence, intimidation and disturbance” caused by the New People’s Army in his town.
The local government of Cauayan in Negros Occidental will not tolerate any threats to civilian safety, he said in a statement posted on his Facebook page.
Tabujara issued the statement following encounters between 15th Infantry Battalion soldiers and NPA fighters in Cauayan on Saturday that left five alleged rebels dead.
The Army has linked the slain rebels to the liquidation of 26 civilians in Negros Island since 2025.
Actions of the NPA have disrupted the peace of Cauayan’s communities and placed innocent civilians in distress, Tabujara said.
“Cauayan will not tolerate any threat to the safety, security, and well-being of our people,” he said.
The Cauayan local government remains in close coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines to secure affected areas, protect communities, and restore peace and order, Tabujara said.
“We urge all Cauayanons to remain calm, vigilant, and cooperative with our uniformed personnel. Together, we stand united for peace, security, and the protection of Cauayan,” the mayor said. *
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