The evacuees in Sipalay City, Negros Occidental, who fled after an encounter between government and rebel forces, went home on Friday, January 20.
Dionilo Bogtae, head of the Sipalay Emergency Assistance and Rescue Services, said the 399 evacuees staying at the Binulig Elementary School in Brgy. San Jose and 66 outside the evacuation center went home at 7 a.m. Friday.
Classes in three schools at barangays San Jose and Camindangan in Sipalay City, Negros Occidental, that were temporarily suspended will all fully resume on Monday, Bogtae said.
The affected schools were the Binulig Elementary School, Gil Montilla National High School – Binulig Extension, and Omas Integrated School.
Gunbattles between the 15th Infantry Battalion soldiers and New People’s Army rebels took place at the boundaries of barangays Camalanda-an and Baclao in Cauayan town at 11:10 a.m. and at Sitio Malipayon, Brgy. San Jose, Sipalay City, at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 18, that prompted the evacuations.
One soldier was wounded.*