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Soldier injured, 77 families evacuated due to southern Negros encounters

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• GILBERT P. BAYORAN

An Army soldier helps DSWD personnel in the distribution of food assistance to families displaced by an armed encounter in Brgy. San Jose, Sipalay City.* 15IB photo

Separate gun battles between Army soldiers and New People’s Army rebels on Wednesday, at the boundary of Cauayan and Sipalay, Negros Occidental led an injury of a government trooper and the evacuation of 77 families.

2Lt. Wean Sandag, 15th Infantry Battalion Civil Military Operations officer, disclosed that the armed skirmishes ensued after Army soldiers responded to reports from civilians of the presence of armed rebels in Brgy. Camalanda-an, Cauayan, at about 12 noon on Wednesday.

After a brief firefight, an estimated 10 NPA rebels abandoned their harboring site and scampered in various directions, leaving behind tents, assorted ammunition, empty shells and personal belongings, Sandag said.

She reported that no one was hurt among the 15th Infantry Battalion soldiers during that encounter.

Almost four hours later, a group, estimated to be composed of 15 to 20 NPA rebels, were also encountered by pursuing Army soldiers in Sitio Malipayon, Brgy.  San Jose, Sipalay City, which is adjacent to Brgy. Camalanda-an, Cauayan.

Sandag confirmed that an Army soldier was hurt in that gun battle, but he is now in stable condition, she added.

The encounter in Sitio Malipayon, Brgy. San Jose Sipalay City, according to Sandag, temporarily displaced 77 families, composed of 399 individuals, who are now staying at an elementary school in the barangay.

She also said that the city government of Sipalay and other volunteer organizations immediately extended assistance, in terms of food and shelter to the affected residents, with the help of the 15IB.

Sandag also reported that some of displaced families in Brgy. Camalanda-an, Cauayan, have already returned to their homes.

Pursuit operations against the fleeing rebels, believed to be members of the South West Front Platoon 3, are still ongoing as of press time, as government forces are tracing bloodstains believed to be that of injured rebels.*

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