Soldiers seize firearms in Negros Occidental clash with NPA

Soldiers from the 94th and the 11th Infantry Battalions based in Negros Oriental have seized firearms following an encounter with suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, the Philippine Army said today.

The government troops were on joint combat clearing operations when the encounter erupted with at least 12 suspected NPA members in the village of Amian in Barangay Tan-awan of Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental around 3:20 p.m. yesterday, a statement from the Army said.

The 25-minute gun battle resulted in the seizure of one M16 rifle, one .45-caliber pistol, one magnum .357 pistol, four rifle grenades, one hand grenade, 15 assorted magazines with ammunition, five backpacks, three bandoliers, three cell phones, a solar panel, medicines and medical equipment/ paraphernalia, subversive documents, and personal belongings.
No one was hurt among the soldiers.

According to 94th IB Commander Lt. Col. Angelo Guzman, “persistent reports from the locals reaching the Battalion reveal that a group of (NPA members) were conducting recruitment activities in the mountainous area of Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental and the adjacent municipality of Ayungon, Negros Oriental, hence, a combat clearing operation was conducted.”
302nd Brigade Commander Brig. Gen. Noel Baluyan lauded the accomplishment of the troops. He attributed the positive result to the timely information from the locals and the decisive and effective leadership of the ground commanders.

“The 302 Brigade and its subordinate units will conduct relentless combat operations against the CNTs in Central and Southern Negros in order for peace and development to prosper,” Baluyan was quoted as saying.

“I encourage the CNTs (CPP-NPA Terrorists) to surrender and return to the mainstream society rather than risking facing the consequences of an encounter with the full might of the military,” he added.* (PNA)