Government soldiers seized high-powered firearms in a series of encounters with New People’s Army remnants in Sitio Tagok, Brgy. Carol-an, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, on Monday, May 6.
The 94th Infantry Battalion engaged members of the dismantled Central Negros 2 Komiteng Rehiyon- Negros Cebu Bohol Siquijor (CN2 KR-NCBS) in a series of encounters, the 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army reported.
The first encounter transpired at about 3:39 p.m. as the troops were conducting combat operations in response to a tip-off from the local populace on the presence of more or less nine NPA members.
The second encounter ensued at about 4:41 p.m. where the Army troopers engaged with seven fleeing NPA rebels in a 5-minute exchange of fire, prompting the rebels to retreat in different directions, the 3ID said.
The encounters resulted in the seizure of four 5.56 mm and M-6 assault rifles, a 5.56mm carbine, two rifle grenades, two magazines, a long and short M-16 magazine, a bandolier, and two backpacks, the 3ID reported.
The 3ID also reported that evidence of a wounded NPA member was discovered based on bloodstains found at the encounter site, while there was no casualty on the government side.
“The encounter stopped the NPA terrorists from executing their plan to conduct intimidation and extortion against the indigent communities in the hinterland barangays of Kabankalan”, BGen. Orlando Edralin, 94IB Commander, said.*