• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Classes for all levels in eight hinterland barangays of Escalante City, Negros Occidental, were suspended until further notice by Mayor Melecio Yap, following the resumption of armed clashes between Army soldiers and fleeing New People’s Army rebels on February 27.
From Feb. 21 up to present, the 79th Infantry Battalion soldiers have already figured in eight armed clashes with remnants of the dismantled rebel Northern Negros Front, with the latest encounter taking place Tuesday morning in Brgy. Pinapugasan, Escalante City.
Classes have been suspended in the villages of Libertad, Pinapugasan, Binaguiohan, Paitan, Dian.-ay, Magsaysay, Malasibog, and Tamlang, all in Escalante City.
Lt. Col. Arnel Calaoagan, 79IB commander, disclosed the intention of the New People’s Army rebels to move and bring the battle to populated areas of Brgy. Pinapugasan, Escalante City, which prompted them to harden the pressure to keep the local terrorist group within the encounter sites.
Calaoagan also said that the use of close air support against a strategic rebel position paved the way towards decisive and advantageous positions for 79IB troopers, ultimately leading to the protection of innocent civilians.
About 100 individuals have preferred to stay at the evacuation center in Brgy. Pinapugasan, Escalante City, Negros Occidental, disclosed regional Army spokesman Lt. Col. J Jay Javines.
Three suspected NPA rebels died, while four government troopers were injured in the initial encounter on Feb. 21 in Sitio Masulao, Brgy. Pinapugasan, Escalante City.
The family of Jose Caramihan, one of the three slain alleged rebels, insisted that he was not part of the NPA, claiming that he was only a farmer.
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has started a motu propio probe centered on the two fatalities in the encounters, Caramihan and Emaren Pastidio, the lone female fatality.
Regarding the case of Pastidio, CHR provincial head Vincent Parra said they will establish if her rights, as recognized by the gender ombud under the Magna Carta for Women, have been violated.
The series of encounters also resulted in the recovery of at least six high powered firearms with ammunition, an improvised landmine, 40mm ammunition for M203 grenade launcher, several rifle grenades, subversive documents, and a CPP-NPA flag, among others.
In a statement, Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, slammed the NPA for its continuing use of anti personnel mines, which is a clear violation of the International Humanitarian Law.*
