Provincial Health Officer Ernell Tumimbang, Provincial Social Welfare Officer Merle Garcia, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte (l-r) hold a press conference at the Capitol in Bacolod City on Wednesday, October 12.*Richard Malihan photo
The evacuees in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, increased to 18,236 on Wednesday, October 12, as the Army continued its pursuit of rebel forces in the hinterland barangay of Carabalan for the seventh day.
A sixth encounter between the 94th Infantry Battalion and the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City, took place at 2:50 p.m. Wednesday, Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Brigade commander, said.
An encounter between the Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion and the NPA also took place in Guihulngan, Negros Oriental, also on Wednesday, the Army reported.
No casualties were reported.
Pasaporte said he has directed the Army’s ground commanders in Barangay Carabalan to identify areas that have been cleared and are safe so the evacuees can start going homes.
Pasaporte, however, said he could not give a timeline on when they can return to their homes as there are still some armed rebels in Carabalan.
The six clashes between the government and rebel forces in Carabalan since Thursday, October 6, have left a top rebel and two soldiers dead, and the declaration of a state of calamity in Himamaylan City.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said the armed clashes are just centered in Carabalan, and he is confident that it will not spread to other parts of the province.
Lacson also said he does not believe the encounters in Himamaylan will affect Negros Occidental’s economy because the situation will soon subside.
“In fact the general (Pasaporte) has said that we can expect a green light in certain areas for evacuees to go back. That tells you that it’s the government who is in control of the situation,” Lacson said.
“The situation is containable,” Pasaporte also said.
Lacson, Pasaporte, Provincial Social Welfare Officer Merle Garcia and Provincial Health Officer Ernell Tumimbang held a press conference at the Capitol in Bacolod City on Wednesday to give an update on the situation in Himamaylan.
Garcia said the evacuees increased to 18,236, with 15,965 from Barangay Carabalan, 2,166 from Barangay Cabadiangan and 105 from Barangay 3.
The provincial government has been assisting Himamaylan City in providing food to the evacuees, she said.
Tumimbang said there are a few children with fever at the evacuation centers who have been isolated for treatment.
The health condition of the evacuees are being monitored on a daily basis, he said.
Pasaporte said the presence of a top ranking NPA leader in Carabalan probably explains why the rebels had been putting up a prolonged fight.
Romeo Nanta, alias Ka Juanito Magbanua, commanding officer of the NPA Regional Operational Command – Negros and the spokesperson of the Apolinario Gatmaitan Command, was killed in an encounter with government forces in Sitio Medel, Brgy Carabalan, on Monday.
The duration of the first encounter on Thursday, October 6, was unusual because it took 40 minutes, he said, pointing out that previous clashes with the rebels have only lasted about 5 to 10 minutes.
“I think you can surmise already who are in the area,” he said, in reference to the presence of a top rebel.
Pasaporte said rebel reinforcement have probably also been sent to Carabalan from other areas in the province.
Despite the disinformation being spread by the rebels the Army remains focused on its mission in the area, Pasaporte said, but they hope their operations can end soon so people can return home.*