BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — c
In a post on social media, Kabankalan City Mayor Benjie Miranda said that 258 families composed of 718 individuals sought shelter in a covered court in Barangay Oringao.
Miranda said the city government is providing the evacuees with their needs such as food and personal items.
Troopers of the Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion were responding to reports about the presence of a group of armed men in a remote area in the village when they encountered at least 15
NPA guerrillas on Saturday, according to Capt. Mervin Rosal, civil-military operations officer of the Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade.
A pursuit operation launched in the same barangay yesterday resulted in separate firefights.
No fatalities or injuries were reported on the part of the Army soldiers.
The military has yet to confirm if the rebel group suffered casualties.