An encounter between 79th Infantry Battalion soldiers and remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay Salamanca, Toboso, Negros Occidental, triggered the mass evacuation of 653 residents on Sunday, April 19.
Toboso Mayor Richard Jaojoco said the exact number of reported casualties was being verified.
“We are still awaiting the official reports from both the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the New People’s Army,” Jaojoco said at 11 p.m. Sunday.
While the local police were preparing body bags no specific details on the casualties were available yet, he said.
The encounter in Sitio Sinugmawan, Barangay Salamanca, forced 168 families — totaling 653 individuals — to flee their homes. Displaced residents are currently taking shelter in school buildings in barangays Salamanca and San Jose, Jaojoco said.
Brig. Gen. Ted Dumosmog, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade (303IB), said one government soldier sustained a minor hand injury during the encounter, which began at approximately 4 a.m.
Dumosmog said the rebels were led by Arnel Tapang, known by the aliases “Jhong,” “Nono,” and “Roger Fabillar.”
A full briefing on the encounter and the status of the pursuit operations is scheduled for a press conference on Monday morning, he said.
The Toboso encounter follows closely on the heels of another clash in the province.
On Saturday, April 18, troops from the 15th Infantry Battalion engaged remnants of the dismantled Southwest Front, Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, in Sitio Lomboy, Barangay Caliling, Cauayan.
As the situation remains fluid, Jaojoco urged the public to stay vigilant.
“Let’s keep praying for peace and protection amid the ongoing armed conflict,” he said.*
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