Army claims thwarting NPA’s ‘attempt’ to disrupt service caravan

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY – The Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB) has thwarted an attempt by the New People’s Army (NPA) to disrupt a government services caravan in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, following a confrontation in La Libertad town last Friday.

The 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde) reported that heightened security measures led to the interception of the rebels, prompting them to redirect their efforts to La Libertad town.

At approximately 9:18 p.m., soldiers engaged with four members of the NPA’s Leonardo Panaligan Command from the regions of Negros, Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor (LPC-NPA, KR-NCBS) at the outskirts of Barangays Aya and Talaon in La Libertad town.

The brief encounter, lasting around three minutes, resulted in no casualties among government forces.

The confrontation led to the recovery of a 12-gauge shotgun with operational ammunition, discharged casings from a shotgun and an M16 rifle, documents of subversive nature, and various personal items.

Lieutenant Colonel Evelio Ilanga III, commander of the 62nd IB, called for the rebels to lay down their arms.

“The people will always stand against the rebels and report their locations immediately, no matter where they go,” he declared.