BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Army’s 11th Infantry Battalion reported that it has spoiled extortion activities and atrocities to be perpetrated allegedly by the New People’s Army, following an encounter yesterday in Sitio Igang, Brgy. Nagbinlod, Santa Catalina, Negros Oriental.
Lt. Col. Roderick Salayo, 11IB commander, disclosed that the encounter between Army soldiers and seven NPA members lasted 20 minutes and prompted rebels to flee in a northerly direction.
Recovered from the encounter site were a caliber .38 revolver, seven back packs containing personal belongings, a Baofeng communication radio, assorted medical supplies, four cellular phones and camouflage uniforms, among other items.
No soldiers were reported hurt in the gunbattle, while the 11IB is still verifying if the fleeing rebels had injured members.
The infantry units of 302nd and 303rd Infantry Brigades stationed in Negros Island have been relentlessly pursuing armed NPA rebels as the May 9 elections is fast approaching.
There are currently four towns and cities in Negros Occidental under the Red category because of threats from New People’s Army.*
