3 rebels killed, hundreds displaced in twin clashes in Kabankalan

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – More than 700 individuals were evacuated while three suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in two clashes in Barangay Oringao, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental over the weekend.

Based on a Facebook post by Mayor Benjie Miranda, 258 families or 718 individuals were temporarily sheltered at the barangay’s covered court as of 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5.

The first encounter erupted around 5 p.m. on Feb. 4 when policemen and military troopers of the 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) conducted joint operations on reports regarding the alleged presence of unidentified armed men allegedly conducting extortion and recruitment in the hinterland sitios of the barangay.

The firefight lasted for 20 minutes. Government forces then conducted pursuit operations that resulted in another 20-minute firefight around 8 a.m. on Feb. 5.

Three suspected NPA rebels were found dead in the second encounter. But they have yet to be identified, according to the Army.

Recovered from the encounter site were an M14 Rifle with magazines and ammunition, a .45-caliber pistol with magazines and ammunition, and a .38-caliber pistol with ammunition, backpacks, other personal belongings, and subversive documents.