By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
BACOLOD City – The Philippine Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion (94IB) raided a suspected New People’s Army (NPA) camp in Sitio Sig-ang, Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental yesterday morning.
According to 303rd Infantry Brigade (303IBde) commander, Brigadier General Inocencio Pasaporte, they received information on the presence of armed individuals in the area, which prompted the 94IB to respond.
Upon reaching the area at around 6 a.m., a gun battle immediately ensued between the soldiers of the 94IB and at least 20 NPA rebels.
In a separate report on radio, residents living near the encounter site described hearing automatic gunfire as well as several large explosions, presumably from grenades or improvised explosive devices.
Pasaporte said the battle lasted for at least 40 minutes until the rebels retreated into the jungle.
As of press time, the 94IB has yet to issue a follow-up report on the result of the encounter, although initial information revealed that two individuals were killed in the gun fight.
A number of the NPA’s personal belongings, along with firearms and ammunition have also been recovered from the alleged camp.
Pasaporte added they believe the rebels may be planning to conduct extortion activities among the locals in the area.
He added that no one was killed or wounded among the government forces, while it is still unknown how many NPA rebels were wounded or died./PN
