An alleged New People’s Army rebel was killed, two government soldiers were injured and a civilian was hit by a stray bullet in an encounter at Sitio Ulo-Tuburan, Brgy Buenavista, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, at about 4:55 p.m. on Wednesday, May 3, the police reported Thursday.
The encounter between the Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion and the rebels caused the evacuation of 43 families with 175 individuals, who had returned home on Thursday, Lt. Col. Renante Jomocan, Himamaylan police chief, said.
The slain rebel was still unidentified.
Wounded in action were Pfc Denyl Pretal Reyes and Pfc Jionald Aldea Dumagat, Jomocan said.
Ma. Fe Virtosio Caboctolan, 59, of Sitio Paloypoy, Brgy Buenavista, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, was grazed by a stray bullet in her right leg, he added.
Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said the 94th IB soldiers engaged about 15 communist rebels in a 20-minute firefight.
The Himamaylan City government and the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided food packs and hygiene kits to the evacuees.*