BACOLOD City – Residents were forced to flee their homes as troopers and suspected rebels clashed in Sitio Lamac, Barangay Buluangan, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.
The residents were currently staying at the neighboring Barangay Nataban and were instructed not to return to their homes yet.
The hour-long shootout took place around 8 a.m. on Monday about seven kilometers away from the residential area in the village.
Elements from the 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) of the Philippine Army were patrolling the area when they encountered around 30 to 40 suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA), according to Lieutenant Emilio Thaddues Logan.
Residents said they heard a loud explosion followed by a series of gunshots, prompting them to evacuate their houses.
More than 70 families, or about 300 individuals, were affected.
No resident or Army member was hurt. The 79th IB was still verifying information that some suspected NPA members were killed or injured.
Clearing and hot pursuit operations were ongoing as of this writing.
The encounter led to the discovery of an alleged NPA camp in the nearby Barangay Guadalupe in San Carlos City.
Food stuff, a solar panel charger, a motorcycle battery, subversive documents, and personal belongings were found in the camp, the Army said./PN
