ILOILO City – Soldiers of the Philippine Army and suspected New People’s Army rebels figured in an armed encounter twice on Tuesday, January 21, in Barangay Lahug, Tapaz, Capiz.
Lieutenant Colonel Vicel Jan Garsuta, commanding officer of the 12th Infantry Battalion (12IB) said the first encounter occurred at 10:57 a.m. after the government troops received information from concerned civilians on the presence of the alleged rebels in the area.
The 12IB soldiers encountered an undetermined number of armed men. The firefight lasted for several minutes, after which the rebels fled.
An hour later, another encounter happened in the same place between the blocking force of the 12IB and 82nd Infantry Battalion and the rebels.
Garsuta believed the rebels suffered significant casualties as indicated by blood stains along the way of their escape.
“Dalawang encounters ang naganap and we believed na may nasugatan sa kanila dahil may mga dugo sa kanilang fleeing route,” he said.
As of this writing, manhunt operation was ongoing./PN
