- GILBERT BAYORAN
As pursuit operations against the fleeing New People’s Army rebels entered its seventh day, the number of displaced residents in the hinterlands of Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental rose to 18,236, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Merle Garcia said.
Almost all displaced residents came from barangays Carabalan and Cabadiangan, and some from Brgy. 3 Poblacion, all of Himamaylan City.
Soldiers of the 94th Infantry Battalion figured in five encounters with NPA rebels from Oct. 6 to 11 that resulted in the killing of Negros top rebel leader Romeo Nanta, and Army corporals Rex Verde and Christian Drilon. Six soldiers were also injured.
Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, yesterday said there is no clearance yet for the displaced residents to return to their respective communities.
Pasaporte, however, said that he already instructed his commanders to identify the areas that have already been cleared, so that residents may be able to return to their homes.
The affected residents are now temporarily staying in 18 evacuation centers in Himamaylan and are being taken care of by the city government, with support from the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office and the DSWD regional office.
A team of doctors and nurses from the Provincial Health Office was also dispatched to the evacuation centers, as ordered by Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, to check on the medical condition of the evacuees and the sources of water to prevent possible water-borne diseases.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Ernell Tumimbang reported that they have not monitored any case of diarrhea. Two children, he said, had fever, but this can be addressed by local health officers, who have set up a clinic along the regional evacuation center.
Tumimbang added that the two minors were placed under isolation for monitoring purposes.
As to the possible effects of the series of encounters to the image and economy of Negros Occidental, Lacson said it has no effect to the economy as he expects the situation to improve soon.
As what Gen. Pasaporte told him, Lacson said “we can expect a green light in certain areas, for evacuees to go back. That tells you that government is in control of the situation.”/GB
