Mayor Raymund Tongson said there were less than 1,000 evacuees left in evacuation centers in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, on Monday, October 17.
Barangays Cabadiangan and Carabalan residents, who evacuated starting October 6 following armed clashes between government and rebel forces, were allowed to return home beginning Saturday, except for those from sitios Campayas, Medel, Sig-ang in Carabalan, he said.
The mayor has ordered the resumption of classes in barangays Cabadiangan and Carabalan on Wednesday, October 19.
Eight armed clashes in Carabalan since October 6 left a top rebel leader and two government soldiers dead.*