Mayor Marilyn Era suspended classes in five remote barangays of Calatrava town in Negros Occidental on Tuesday, October 22, following an encounter between Army soldiers and remnants of the New People’s Army.
The rebels are allegedly led by Roger Fabillar, alias Arnel Tapang, who has a bounty of P1 million for his arrest.
The 79th Infantry Battalion troopers, who were joined by operatives of the 1st Negros Occidental Police Mobile Force Company, encountered about seven NPA members in Sitio Agtotogas, Brgy. Winaswasan, Calatrava, 6 a.m. Tuesday.
Era suspended classes in barangays of Winaswasan, Cambayobo, Macasilao and Pantao in Calatrava, to ensure safety of students in those areas.
Lt. Col. Arnel Calaoagan, 79IB commander, said the encounter lasted for about 10 minutes after which the rebels escaped in various directions.
No one was hurt among the government troopers, Calaoagan said.
The encounter was an offshoot of their focused military operations against the group of Favillar, who are remnants of the NNF, he said.
Favillar is facing multiple murder charges in court, for the alleged liquidation of barangay officials and residents in the upland areas of Calatrava accused of being military informants.
Calaoagan said Favillar is believed to still be hiding in the area.
The rebels in the encounter are also believed to be behind the killing of Danny Brazona, 54, a resident of Barangay Marcelo in Calatrava on Oct. 16.
The victim, who was a farmer, was shot to death while he was taking his son to school in Sitio Camao, Barangay Marcelo.*