• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Army soldiers have seized high powered guns and explosives, following two encounters with New People’s Army rebel remnants on May 6 in Sitio Tagok, Brgy. Carol-an, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental
Lt. Col. J-Jay Javines, 3rd Infantry Division Civil Military Operations chief, said the first encounter, which lasted about 10 minutes, ensued after 94th Infantry Battalion troopers responded to reports of the presence of about nine rebels in the area, believed to be remnants of the dismantled Central Negros 2 guerilla front.
Almost an hour later, the blocking forces of the 94IB encountered the fleeing rebels, where a firefight also lasted about five minutes, prompting the insurgents to disperse in various directions, leaving behind a cache of firearms and explosives.
Recovered at the encounter site were four M16 assault rifles, a caliber 5.56 carbine rifle, two rifle grenades, two backpacks, and a bandoleer containing magazines filled with ammunition.
Javines disclosed that traces of bloodstains were also discovered at the encounter, which indicated that some of the fleeing rebels may have been also injured in the gunbattle, while no soldiers were hurt.*
