BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Two Philippine Army soldiers died while four more were wounded in two separate clashes with the New People’s Army (NPA) in Sitio Tiyos, Barangay Quentin Remo, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental on Wednesday afternoon.
Authorities declined to name the casualties, pointing out their families were yet to be informed of the incident.
Army Captain Kim Apitong, 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) spokesperson, said two encounters took place: 25 rebels against the 79th Infantry Battalion and against the 62nd Infantry Battalion a few hours later.
Wounded government troops were airlifted to a hospital in Cebu City where the two expired.
The four others, meanwhile, are now in a stable condition.
Apitong believed the NPA suffered casualties, too. Government forces spotted rebels dragging at least four people believed to have been either critically wounded or killed.
According to Apitong, the rebels were about to extort on a contractor of a road project linking the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental.
They also received information the rebels were planning to attack another road project in neighboring Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental which was already close to completion.
Government forces recovered three backpacks, two mobile phones, two portable gas stoves, and several personal belongings.
Major General Benedict Arevalo, 3ID commander, slammed the NPA, saying their extortion activities have no place in the region.
“I encourage all Negrenses to join our fight against this terrorist group by providing us information about their plans and activities,” Arevalo said.
Meanwhile, the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) hoisted a “heightened alert” status in all its police stations.
NOCPPO deputy spokesperson, Police Lieutenant Abegael Donasco said it is the mandate of all police chiefs not to be complacent.
Donasco said with threat or not, police in the province should remain cautious./PN
