• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
More than 60 families displaced by a gun battle between government troops and New People’s Army rebels on Wednesday in Sitio Ulo-Tuburan, Brgy. Buenavista, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, have returned to their respective homes, a day after the encounter, according to acting Army spokesman Capt. Raymart Africa.
The affected families fled to neighboring Brgy. Hilamonan in Kabankalan City, where they had an overnight stay at the barangay covered court, and were provided with temporary shelter and relief goods by government social workers.
The gun battle between 94th Infantry Battalion soldiers and 15 NPA rebels, believed to members of the Sentro De Grabidad Platoon of Central Negros 2 under the Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor, lasted about 20 minutes, claimed the life of a local insurgent, injured two Army soldiers and a civilian, who was hit by a stray bullet.
Africa yesterday identified the slain rebel as Crispin Tingal, alias Ka Padon, 36, of Sitio Dangalon, Brgy. Hilamonan, Kabankalan City, whose remains were claimed by his family from a funeral parlor.
Africa said that the fleeing rebels left behind Tingal at the encounter site, while government troops also recovered an M653 automatic assault rifle with a magazine containing ammunition, assorted ammunition for M14 rifle, 12-gauge shotgun, and .38 caliber revolver, among other personal items, assorted foodstuff, and subversive documents.
Injured were two soldiers, identified as PFC Denyl Reyes and PFC Dionald Dumagat, as well as Maria Fe Caboctolan, 59, who was hit by a stray bullet. All were reported to be in stable condition.
In a statement, Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, lauded the prompt response of 94IB soldiers to the presence of an armed group in the area, which was relayed to them by civilians.*
