BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The intensified combat operations of the Philippine Army in northern Negros resulted an encounter on December 5 in Sitio Anita Dos, Brgy. Winaswasan, Calatrava, Negros Occidental.
Lt. Col. J-Jay Javines, 79th Infantry Battalion commander, yesterday said that patrolling Army soldiers thwarted extortion activities of NPA remnants in northern Negros, following an encounter with five armed rebels.
Javines said that residents, who are already fed up by rebel extortion activities, reported their presence to 79IB troopers, who immediately responded to complaints.
Nobody among 79IB injured in about seven minutes of gun battle with five NPA rebels, who scampered in various directions, he added.
Javines believes that some of the fleeing rebels may have been injured in the armed skirmishes, as traces of bloodstains were discovered along their route of withdrawal.
He added that the 79IB already coordinated with other security forces in neighboring areas to intercept the fleeing rebels.*
