Military ops vs NPA rebels in Negros intensified

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Gunfights between New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas and state troopers  in Negros provinces erupted anew yesterday as the military intensified its operations against the rebel group.

Soldiers belonging to the 94th Infantry Battalion clashed with the group of slain NPA leader Romeo Nanta in Barangay Carabalan in Himamaylan, Negros Occidental as security forces sealed the exit points in the village.

Government troopers clashed with two other groups of rebels in Barangays Calupaan and Trinidad in Guihulngan, Negros Oriental.

There was no reported casualty on the side of the government.

Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said a caliber .45 pistol was recovered at the clash site in Guihulngan.

Nanta and two soldiers were killed  and thousands of residents were displaced in a series of encounters in Himamaylan in the past week.

Pasaporte gave assurance that the military would facilitate and provide transportation to the evacuees once clearing operations are completed.

Himamaylan Mayor Raymund Tongson clarified that only about 3,500 of nearly 18,000 people who fled their homes remained in evacuation centers.

CHR probe

Meanwhile, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) launched an investigation into the attack of NPA rebels in Jipapad, Eastern Samar on Oct. 7 that left two soldiers dead and two other soldiers and a 10-year-old girl wounded.

“We reiterate that no ideology nor circumstance can justify atrocious attacks that deliberately transgress the right to life, especially when innocent civilians are harmed,” the CHR said.

The commission also honored the two soldiers killed in clashes with NPA rebels in Himamaylan.

It called on authorities to “ensure swift accountability” of the perpetrators and prevent heightened hostilities in the areas. – Elizabeth Marcelo