2 soldiers hurt in clash with NPA in Negros Occidental

BACOLOD CITY — Two soldiers were injured in an encounter with suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Calatrava town, Negros Occidental on Wednesday.

Brig. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said the soldiers suffered slight injuries on their armpits and on the hands after they were hit by M203 grenade shrapnel.

Based on reports, the NPA lost five of their members during the firefight that lasted for about an hour.

Arevalo said 79th Infantry Battalion troops assaulted the harboring area of about 30 NPA rebels in Sitio Putting Tubig, Barangay Minautok when the encounter happened.

Recovered from the encounter site were a magazine containing eight ammunition of M1 Garand carbine rifle, three cellular phones, two cellular phone power banks, a pair of combat boots, hammock, and 10 kilos of rice.

The encounter came almost a month after the 79th Infantry Battalion figured in skirmishes with NPA rebels in Barangay Marcelo. Three NPA members were killed in that encounter.

Two Air Force helicopters are now assisting the 79th Infantry Battalion in going after the fleeing NPA rebels. (Editor: Leti Boniol)