Army clashes with rebels in NegOcc town

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – An armed encounter ensued between the Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) and suspected New People’s Army (NPA) at Sitio Tinibyangan, Barangay Minapasuk, Calatrava, Negros Occidental yesterday.

According to Brigadier General Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde), military troopers clashed with 10 unidentified armed men believed to be remnants of the NPA.

“Gusto nila marecover ang area,” he added.

The 79th IB was conducting security operations after receiving reports from concerned citizens about the alleged presence of armed men near their community when the 15-minute firefight occurred.

Based on initial report, no casualties were reported on the government side, while the NPA was believed to have some casualties.

Clearing and pursuit operations are ongoing.