100 families displaced in Negros clash

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — More than a hundred families fled to safety for fear of getting caught in the crossfire between government security forces and suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas in Escalante City, Negros Occidental on Saturday.

The families, composed of 329 individuals, sought shelter at the Paitan Elementary School in Barangay Paitan, according to 1/Lt. Revekka Roperos of the Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade civil military operations.

Three Army troopers were wounded when an improvised explosive device planted by the rebels went off during a pursuit operation.

Roperos said five guerrillas were killed and several others were believed wounded based on traces of blood found by pursuing soldiers along the rebels’ escape path.

The clash, which lasted 45 minutes, broke out after residents reported the presence of about 30 armed men in the village.

The military recovered an improvised anti-personnel mine, a roll of detonating wire, a backpack, two watches, personal belongings and revolutionary lecture materials from the scene of the firefight.

The families were given relief goods and assistance by the city social work department.