Mayor Raymund Tongson said on Thursday, March 2, that they are looking into the report that a resident of Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City, went missing following an encounter between government soldiers and the New People’s Army (NPA).
Anyolina Sibil, 61, said she had been looking for her 24-year-old son Dennis, who is a farm laborer, since Wednesday night.
They were informed that two men took her son away on his motorcycle after the encounter.
She was very worried and had not eaten, the mother said.
Tongson said Dennis Sibil from Sitio Tapol, Barangay Carabalan, was not among the four dead rebels.
Four NPA rebels were killed and two government soldiers were injured in the encounter in Brgy Carabalan on Wednesday,
Lt. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, Visayas command chief, confirmed.
Recovered from the rebels were two M-16 rifles, two AK-47 rifles, and two M203 grenade launchers, he said.
About 650 residents had evacuated following the encounter, and were provided assistance by the government.
“Mayor Tongson has been addressing the needs of the evacuees,” Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said.
“I guess this is still in line with the military operations to clear that area (of armed rebels),” he said.
The governor reiterated his call for the NPA rebels to surrender and give themselves a chance for change and a more peaceful life.
Government is ready to help them with their start up, he added.*