• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A suspected member of the New People’s Army (NPA) was reported by the Philippine Army to have been injured in another encounter on Dec. 7 in Sitio Caranawan, Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental.
Soldiers of the 94th Infantry Battalion also recovered an M16 assault rifle with two magazines containing ammunition as well as personal belongings.
In a statement, Lt. Col. J-Jay Javines, public affairs chief of 3rd Infantry Division, said the encounter took place while Army troops were conducting combat operations in response to the reported presence of the remnants of Sentro De Grabidad Platoon of the NPA’s Central Negros 2 extorting money and food from residents in the area.
Javines said that the gunbattle between 94IB troops and some four NPA members lasted for about eight minutes, which also prompted the rebels to withdraw, carrying their injured comrade as indicated by traces of bloodstains along their withdrawal route.
No one was injured among Army soldiers, who recovered an assault rifle and personal belongings.
The latest encounter ensued a day after 62nd Infantry Battalion soldiers also clashed with five NPA combatants in Barangay Amontay, Binalbagan that resulted in the death of Braulio Tobalado, alias Bruno, a member of Central Negros 1.
An M1 garand rifle and a caliber .45 pistol with ammunition were also recovered by 62IB troops from the encounter site. | GB
