2 soldiers, rebels injured in Negros gunfights

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — A soldier and several New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were injured in a series of gunfights in Cauayan and Toboso towns in Negros Occidental over the weekend.

Capt. Jessie Jun Ebalan, 3rd Infantry Division public affairs office chief, said the first armed encounter happened after three suspected rebels fired at patrolling soldiers of the 15th Infantry Battalion in Sitio Lomboy in Barangay Caliling, Cauayan.

Ebalan said the gunfight lasted 30 minutes.

The Army recovered three back packs containing a caliber .45 pistol with six bullets, two rifle grenades, several blasting caps for improvised explosive device, 69 bullets for a 12-gauge shotgun, M16 rifle, two magazines for an AK 47 rifle and two Communist Party of the Philippines flags, among other items.

Ebalan said some of the fleeing rebels were injured, as indicated by the bloodstains along their escape routes.

He added that no evacuation order was issued as the encounter site is far from the nearest populated area.

In Toboso, Brig. Gen. Ted Dumosmog, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, reported a battle between members of the 79th Infantry Battalion and NPA rebels in Sitio Plariding in Barangay Salamanca yesterday.

Dumosmog said a soldier was injured and is in stable condition in a hospital.

The pursuing Army unit recovered several firearms near the encounter sites, he added.

First Lt. Fevie Fajardo, 79th Infantry Battalion civil militay officer, said the rebel group was led by Roger Favillar.

A P2-million bounty is offered for the arrest of Favillar for his involvement in a series of killings of civilians in northern Negros, Fajardo said.