Hundreds displaced in Negros AFP-NPA clash

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — At least 46 families or more than 200 persons fled their homes as soldiers clashed with New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in San Carlos, Negros Occidental on Monday.

Inspector Charmae de Paz of the provincial police office said the evacuees are staying at the Handalago and Mabato Elementary Schools in Barangay Guadalupe.

Soldiers belonging to the 79th Infantry Battalion overran an NPA camp following the encounter. There was no reported casualty on the government side.         

Capt. Emil Charlie Jaudian, acting Civil Military Operations chief of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, said the rebels were training new recruits, including minors.

Jaudian advised residents not to return to their homes while clearing operations are underway, saying the rebels  could use them as human shields.