• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) was killed while two Army soldiers were injured, following an attack staged by remnants of the dismantled New People’s Army Northern Negros Front on Tuesday, Sept. 29 in Escalante City, Negros Occidental.
Personnel of the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (79IB), particularly members of its Mobile Community Support and Sustainment Program Team, were conducting a security patrol in Sitio Bautista, Barangay Malasibog when the armed engagement took place, the 3rd Infantry Division (ID) said in a report.
The firefight lasted about 10 minutes, leading to the death of a paramilitary trooper, and injuries of two soldiers, who were immediately brought to a hospital and are now in stable condition.
In a statement, Maj. Gen. Joey Escanillas, 3ID commander, acknowledged that even fragmented armed groups remain capable of violence, reinforcing the need for sustained security efforts to deny them opportunities to regroup, regain influence in communities, or rebuild their capacity to threaten efforts to bring government support, security, and development closer to the people.
Nevertheless, such acts will not deter government forces and their partners from addressing community concerns, protecting civilians, and safeguarding communities from intimidation and armed influence, Escanillas said.
“Violence will not stop us from working with our partners to bring security, government services, and opportunities closer to the people,” he added. | GPB
