By Jennifer P. Rendon
Government troops clashed with suspected remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA) on Nov. 18 in Tapaz, Capiz.
The encounter occurred around 5:50 p.m. in Barangay Batobato as the Philippine Army’s 12th Infantry “Lick ‘Em” Battalion conducted combat operations.
Soldiers were responding to reports of armed men in the area when they encountered three armed rebels.
According to the 3rd Infantry Division, the rebels were identified as members of the NPA’s Regional Sentro de Grabidad (RSDG) and the dismantled Central Front – Komiteng Rehiyon Panay.
The firefight lasted about five minutes before the rebels withdrew.
No government casualties were reported, while the number of rebel casualties remains undetermined.
Soldiers recovered an M16 assault rifle and other war materials from the encounter site.
Major General Marion R. Sison, commander of the 3rd ID, commended the 12IB for its continued efforts to eliminate the NPA remnants in Panay.
“A stable internal peace and security environment in Panay Island is within our reach,” Sison said.
“Our troops are persistently pursuing remnants of the CTG to prevent the group from resurging. With the unwavering support of the people of Panay, we will not allow this terrorist group to gain any ground or rise up again. We will ensure their complete defeat.”
Sison also renewed his call for remaining NPA members to surrender and rejoin society.
He urged them to abandon what he described as a “dying armed struggle” and emphasized that a peaceful and fulfilling life awaits them with their families, communities, and the government.
