• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A Philippine Army soldier was killed while another was slightly injured in a series of encounters with remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental on Sunday, Feb. 15.
Soldiers of the 11th Infantry Battalion clashed with seven remnants of the dismantled South East Front (SEF) while conducting security patrol at Sitio Canggabe in Barangay Santo Nino.
Initial reports showed two soldiers were injured in the gunbattle.
Both were immediately brought to Bayawan City District Hospital, where one of them was declared dead on arrival.
The encounters prompted Mayor Jose Orlino to order the suspension of classes Monday, Feb. 16 in the hinterland barangays of Sto. Niño, Pal-ew, Bahian, and Sta. Cruz Nuevo to ensure the safety and security of the students, teachers, and school personnel.
Brig. Gen. Jason Jumawan, 302nd Infantry Brigade commander, said the four remnants of the NPA’s SEF are being reinforced by remnants of the South West Front to consolidate their forces in southern Negros, following the dismantling of the two guerrilla fronts.
The slightly injured soldier was already discharged from the hospital.
Jumawan said the four armed skirmishes lasted less than 10 minutes.
“There’s no need for them (civilians) to evacuate. We made sure the firefight does not happen in a populated area to protect civilians from danger,” he added.
Jumawan said validation is ongoing to determine if the fleeing rebel remnants also suffered casualties.
He noted that bloodstains were observed at the encounter sites, prompting verification efforts for potential NPA casualties as pursuit operations are still underway. | GB
