• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Patrolling soldiers of the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion encountered about seven suspected members of the New People’s Army in Barangay Macasilao, Calatrava, Negros Occidental yesterday.
Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin, commander of 303rd Infantry Brigade, said that the running gunbattle lasted for six minutes, which prompted remnants of the dismantled Northern Negros Front to flee in various directions.
No one was hurt among the Army soldiers.
Soldiers are still pursuing the fleeing rebels as of Sunday night.
Meanwhile, four rebel remnants have surrendered to the 62nd Infantry Battalion in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.
They were identified by the 62IB through their aliases “Alver”, “Jay”, “Ara” and “May”, all members of the dismantled Central Negros 1 Sentro De Grabidad Platoon.
They turned over a .357 caliber Magnum revolver to the authorities.
Lt. Col. Evelio Ilanga III, 62IB commander, said that the four former rebels shared their stories of hardship and disillusionment, leading them to abandon the armed struggle, when they were presented to the members of the Guihulngan City Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC).
Each of them received P10,000 financial assistance, a sack of fertilizer, and 10 kilos of rice, after they took their oath of allegiance to support the government.
Ilanga attributed their surrender to the efforts of the local TF-ELCAC which continues to bridge government services to isolated communities, fostering trust and promoting peaceful resolutions. | GB
