Military, NPA clash triggers residents’ evacuation

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Forty six families, consisting of 224 individuals, left their homes at the vicinity of an encounter site and neighboring areas at Barangay Guadalope in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, as  Philippine Army soldiers are still in pursuit of fleeing New People’s Army rebels, as of this time.

Inspector Charmae De Paz, spokesperson of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, yesterday said the evacuees are now temporarily staying at the Handalago and Mabato Elementary Schools in Barangay Guadalupe, San Carlos City.

De Paz said the city government of San Carlos City, through its City Social Welfare and Development Office, already attended the basic needs such as food and temporary shelter of the evacuees.

Troopers of the 79th Infantry Battalion, after a 45-minute firefight, overran Monday a training camp believed to be that Northern Negros Front –Komiteng Rehiyonal.

No casualty was reported on the government side, while they are still validating reports on casualties incurred by the fleeing rebels, Jaudian said.

Recovered from the abandoned rebel camp were newly-cooked rice and fresh pork, a solar panel charger, motorcycle battery, back packs containing subversive documents and personal belongings.

Based on the testimonies of residents in the area, Captain Emil Charlie Jaudian, acting chief of the Civil Military Operations of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, yesterday said the rebels were conducting training on minors, who they had recruited to join the CPP-NPA.

The seized training camp could accommodate 30 to 40 persons, according to the military. Jaudian said they are advising residents not to return to their homes, as the clearing operations are still underway, as of this time.

Jaudian expressed fears that the returning residents maybe used as human shields by the fleeing NPA,  who maybe cornered by the pursuing soldiers.

On the other hand, De Paz said some of the evacuees already returned to their respective homes. She added that PNP units were also alerted on possibility that injured rebels, if there are any, be brought to hospitals. (FREEMAN)