227 flee Army, NPA clash in Misamis village

PAGADIAN CITY — At least 227 people fled their homes in several villages of Aloran, Misamis Occidental, when soldiers and New People’s Army (NPA) rebels clashed in the village of Sinampongan there, officials said on Tuesday.

The residents, however, returned home on the same day after the military gave its go-signal, the Aloran town government said in a statement.

Lt. Col. Ryan Severo, commander of the 10th Infantry Battalion, said the clash took place on Sunday when soldiers went into the village in search for rebels.

Severo said there was no casualty on the government side. —Leah Agonoy and Richel Umel