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BACOLOD CITY – The bodies of three suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were discovered following a series of encounters with the 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Sitio Bugne, Barangay Oringao, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental on Saturday and Sunday.
A report from the Philippine Army on Sunday said the fatalities have yet to be identified.
Kabankalan Mayor Benjie Miranda said 258 families, composed of 718 individuals were evacuated to the Oringao covered courts amid the gunfight between alleged NPA rebels and government troopers at 5.p.m. on Saturday and 6 a.m. on Sunday.
According to the Army, some residents reported the presence of the rebels who demanded food from them, prompting the 94 IB to conduct an operation.
While in the vicinity of Sitio Bugne, the 94 IB soldiers encountered around 15 armed fighters.
Government forces discovered the three bodies after the rebels retreated.
Recovered from the site of the encounter were an M-14 rifle, .38 caliber pistol, .45 caliber pistol, and backpacks with personal belongings and documents.
Col. Orlando Edralin, 303rd Brigade commander, lauded the immediate response of the 94 IB soldiers headed by Lt. Col. Donald Almonte.
“The bravery that you exhibited during the series of security operations for the people of Negros, especially in Kabankalan is incomparable,” he said.
Edralin also commended the vigilance of the residents in giving the troops accurate and significant information.
He called on the remaining NPAs to surrender with their firearms and avail of the benefits of the government’s reintegration program to start a new and normal life with their families.