Evacuees return home after NPA-military clash

CEBU, Philippines - A total of 270 individuals from the villages of Bahian and Pal-iw in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental on Sunday returned to their respective homes after fleeing on Saturday during an encounter between NPA rebels and Philippine Army soldiers in their area.

Lieutenant Col. Harold Anthony Pascua, commander of the 79th Infantry Battalion, confirmed that these people left their homes Saturday afternoon and spent the night at the barangay halls of Pal-iw and Bahian.

Governor Roel Degamo, upon learning of the evacuation, sent rice and food to the residents, who returned to their houses the following day after fighting stopped.

Pascua said a platoon of 79th IB soldiers, led by 1st Lt. Julambre Haber, was on patrol when they came across about 15 armed rebels at sitio Pag-inuman in Bahian. An exchange of gunfire ensued, lasting for about 45 minutes, after which the rebels fled, but left behind an M15 rifle and some personal belongings.

Pascua said no civilians were injured or abused and there were no collateral damages during the encounter. Two UH-1H helicopter gunships were deployed Sunday morning to the scene for troop insertion and delivery of supplies, while soldiers continued pursuing the escaping rebels.

The military has been in constant communication with village officials to ensure that civilians’ rights were not violated. “We will ensure that the rules of engagement are properly observed by our troops in the area,” said Pascua.

Meanwhile, a rebel who was about to surrender this week to Degamo was stabbed dead by a “mentally-ill” neighbor last Saturday.

The victim, a certain Nomer Senda, 28-year-old resident of Brgy. Apoloy in Siaton town, Negros Oriental, was stabbed on his neck by a certain Artemio Macatiguib.

A police report reaching the Philippine Army showed that Senda and Macatiguig were both staying at the house of a certain Enriquita Manugas in Apoloy, when the stabbing incident happened. The assailant surrendered to the military detachment in Brgy. Mantiquil in Siaton.

According to the 79th IB, Senda was a member of squad 3, Sentro De Grabidad Platoon, South East Front Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros of the NPA.  (FREEMAN)