Hundreds displaced as soldiers battle Reds in Negros

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Hundreds of villagers in Escalante City, Negros Occidental have been displaced as the military pursued New People’s Army (NPA) rebels who detonated a landmine that left three soldiers wounded following an encounter on Saturday.

Around 750 residents of Sitio Morino, Barangay Paitan are staying in evacuation centers, First Lt. Revekka Roperos, 303rd Infantry Brigade civil-military operations officer, said yesterday.

Roperos said the displaced residents were advised against returning to their homes.

The provincial health office distributed folding beds and hygiene kits, the Escalante City government gave family food packs while the provincial social welfare and development office handed other relief items to the evacuees.

Meanwhile, in Agusan del Sur, an NPA rebel was killed and another was arrested following an encounter with government troopers in Barangay Segunda, Esperanza on Monday.

Lt. Col. Francisco Molina Jr., 23rd Infantry Battalion commander, said an AK47 rifle, a 22-caliber rifle, a landmine, an electrical wire, magazines for an AK47, various types of ammunition and bomb materials were among those recovered from the rebels. – Ben Serrano