BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Four New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in a gun battle with troops of the Philippine Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion (94IB) in Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on Wednesday, March 1.
The rebel fatalities were yet to be identified.
Two 94IB soldiers were wounded but were reported to be in stable condition.
Colonel Orlando Edralin, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade (303IBde), called on the NPA rebels who were wounded to surrender.
He said they received information that many of the rebels involved in Barangay Carabalan clash were injured.
It is possible, Edralin said, that Army troops mopping up the encounter site could recover more dead rebels.
Government forces recovered from the encounter site two M16 assault rifles with M203 grenade launchers, two AK-47 assault rifles, four M203 grenade launcher ammunition, assorted ammunition, four bandoliers, a fragmentation grenade, assorted magazines for M16 and AK-47, nine backpacks, a compass, and two flashlights.
Also recovered were food and medical supplies, as well as subversive documents.
Meanwhile, 181 families fled their homes due to the clash. They are currently staying at the multipurpose gym in Barangay Carabalan.
The Himamaylan City Social Welfare and Development Office sent relief supplies to the evacuees.
As of this writing, the Philippine Army has yet to allow the residents to return to their homes./PN
