Map of Negros Occidental
BACOLOD CITY — Government troopers have found a suspected hideout of communist rebels in Sitio Tinibyangan, Barangay Minapasuk, Calatrava town, Negros Occidental at about 6 a.m. on Wednesday, June 22
Lt. Col. J-jay Javines, commander of the 79th Infantry “Masaligan” Battalion, said their troops were in the area when they encountered about 10 rebels believed to be members of the dismantled Northern Negros Front (NNF-D).
“This encounter happened after our troops received information from concerned citizens about the presence of an armed group that extorted and sowed fear among the residents by forcing them to provide food,” Javines said.
The exchange of gunfire during the encounter lasted for about 15 minutes and resulted in the discovery of the rebels’ hideout and seizure of their personal belongings, medical paraphernalia, and subversive documents.
No casualties were reported on the government side, while there were undetermined number of casualties on the enemy’s side as evidenced by the bloodstains found along their route of withdrawal.
Javines lauded the residents of the area for providing information of the rebels despite their fear.