Classes were suspended in Barangay Biao, Binalbagan in Negros Occidental where two suspected rebels were killed in separate encounters Friday, Jan 30.
Regie Pacheco, alias Dante, was killed in the first encounter between 94th Infantry Battalion soldiers and about five New People’s Army rebels in Sitio Apitong, Barangay Biao, at 2:50 a.m., Col. Zeigfred Tayaban, 94th IB commander, said.
Pacheco was a finance and logistics officer and a Regional Strike Force member of the NPA’s Central Negros 2, Tayaban said.
Another suspected rebel was killed in a second encounter in Brgy Biao at 4 p.m., he added.
“We are still identifying the second casualty and determining if there were injured rebels,” he said.
The pursuing Philippine Army soldiers caught up with the escaping rebels about one kilometer from the first encounter, he said.
There were no casualties among the government soldiers, he said.
Barangay Captain Junefel Aguillon issued an executive order Friday morning suspending classes in Barangay Biao at all levels as a precautionary measure and for the security of learners and teachers due to the armed conflict.
The encounter caused panic and fear for the residents of the barangay, he said.
Classes were suspended at the Binadlan Elementary School, Bulwang Elementary School, Nasanagan Elementary School, Biao Elementary School, Biao National High School and all day care centers until further notice, Aguillon said.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said “It’s an ongoing battle between the government and our rebel brothers and sisters. On the part of the provincial government, we continuously call on them to lay down their arms and allow the government to assist them for them to be able to live a peaceful life.”
“We are still hoping for a lasting peace solution to this peace and order problem,” the governor said.*
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