By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – Fourteen households evacuated to a safer place following four armed encounters between the Army’s 15th Infantry Battalion (IB) and suspected New People’s Army (NPA) at Sitio Guinobatan, Barangay Caningay, Candoni, Negros Occidental yesterday.
2nd Lieutenant Weann Sandag, 15th IB civil military operations officer, said the soldiers overran the harbor site of the NPA that can accommodate at least 30 to 40 persons.
Sandag said the soldiers engaged in a clash with the unidentified armed men around 6:20 a.m. while they were conducting combat operations in response to alleged NPA extortion activities in the area.
“May mga reports po kasi na nanghihingi daw ng pagkain, at iyong mga usual na ginagawa po nila (NPA),” she added.
Sandag said the Army is in control of the situation despite the gun battles.
However, some residents opted to leave their houses for their safety.
Sandag said they have coordinated with the barangay council and has assured them of the safety of the people.
Relief goods were also provided to the affected families by the barangay officials.
Sandag said that no casualties were reported on the government side while bloodstains were found on the enemy’s trail, indicating possible casualties on their end.
Sandag said the affected residents were not advised yet to return to their respective houses as military troopers continue to conduct clearing operation of the encounter site.
She thanked the community for their support and cooperation to the Army.
