• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, describing as decisive encounters with remnants of the New People’s Army in Negros and Iloilo, reported that the 79th and 61st Infantry Battalions, respectively, achieved a significant breakthrough in seizing a total of 24 assorted firearms, as well as explosives, including a homemade anti personnel mine.
Of the firearms, 20 were seized by the 79IB soldiers in nine encounters with remnants of the dismantled Northern Negros Front in Brgy. Pinapugasan, Escalante City, Negros Occidental.
This was after Army soldiers in pursuit of fleeing rebel remnants, figured in another encounter on February 27, in the same barangay, leading to the recovery of three carbine rifles, two M1 garand rifles, an M14 rifle, assorted ammunition and four rifle grenades.
On Feb. 21 and 22, Army soldiers also seized 10 high powered firearms, including four M1 garand rifles, two carbine rifles, M16 assault rifle, AK 47 automatic rifle, M14 rifle and M653 rifle, four rifle grenades, a fragmentation grenade, four homemade guns, and an improvised anti personnel mine, after eight encounters with the NPA.
Army regional spokesperson Lt. Col. J Jay Javines said that the series of encounters also resulted in the neutralization of three remnants of the dismantled Northern Negros Front (NNF) of the Komiteng Rehiyon – Negros Cebu Bohol Siquijor (KR-NCBS).
Three Army soldiers and a CAFGU member were injured in the armed clashes.
Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Chiqui Gonzales reported that there are still about 50 internally displaced persons staying at the evacuation center in Brgy. Pinapugasan, Escalante City, due to ongoing military operations.
Three suspected NPA rebels also died in an encounter with 61st Infantry Battalion soldiers on February 28 in Brgy. Torocadan, San Joaquin town of Iloilo, according to a statement issued by the 301st Infantry Brigade.
The encounter that lasted 20 minutes also resulted in the recovery of four M16 assault rifles, a commercial radio, three bandoleers of ammunition and nine backpacks left behind by the fleeing rebels.*
