The New People’s Army has claimed responsibility for the Sept. 29 attack on government troops in Escalante City, Negros Occidental, that left one Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) member dead and two soldiers wounded.
In a statement on Oct. 7, Ka Cecil Estrella, spokesperson of the Roselyn Jean Pelle Command-NPA Northern Negros Guerrilla Front, said its members carried out what it described as a harassment operation against personnel of the Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (79IB) and CAFGU in Sitio Bautista, Brgy. Malasibog, at around 3 p.m.
The NPA claimed its fighters opened fire on government troops conducting a patrol in the area, resulting in one fatality and two injuries on the government side.
Estrella said the exchange of gunfire lasted about three minutes and claimed that all NPA fighters were able to withdraw safely.
The group also alleged that government troops continued firing for about an hour after the initial exchange. This claim has not been independently verified.
The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) earlier confirmed that one CAFGU Active Auxiliary member was killed and two soldiers were wounded during the armed encounter.
However, the military said the firefight lasted about 10 minutes, differing from the NPA’s account.
According to the Army, personnel of the 79IB, including members of its Mobile Community Support and Sustainment Program team, were conducting a security patrol when they came under attack from an armed group.
The two wounded soldiers were brought to a hospital and were reported to be in stable condition.
Maj. Gen. Joey Escanillas, commander of the 3ID, earlier condemned the attack and assured the family of the slain CAFGU member of assistance.
The Army maintained that its personnel were in the area to support peace and development initiatives and protect communities from armed groups.
Meanwhile, the NPA said the attack was carried out in response to what it described as increasing military presence in the area and alleged killings attributed to government forces.
The rebel group also claimed continued support from communities in Toboso and Escalante, although this assertion could not be independently established.
The military, for its part, maintained that security operations would continue to prevent armed groups from regaining influence in communities.
The Sept. 29 encounter also affected residents of Sitio Bautista, with 13 families comprising 41 individuals reportedly evacuating due to fears following the firefight.*
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