Cafgu hurt, 460 displaced in Kabankalan clash

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – A Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) member was injured and 116 families, or 460 residents, were displaced following an encounter between the Philippine Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) and New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Sitio Balaw, Barangay Tan-awan, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, on Thursday.

Col. Erwin Rommel Lamzon, 3rd Infantry Division (ID) spokesperson, said the clash broke out around 4:45 p.m. against seven NPA members while soldiers were conducting focused military operations after receiving reports that rebels were prohibiting civilians from entering the upland part of the village.

The gun battle lasted about 25 minutes, injuring a Cafgu member who was hit by shrapnel in the right cheek, Lamzon said.

He added that the injured auxiliary is now recuperating in a hospital.

Lamzon also reported that three rebels were seen carrying a wounded companion while fleeing the encounter site, though this remains subject to verification.

He said pursuit operations are ongoing.

Meanwhile, the city government has provided assistance to displaced residents, who are temporarily sheltered at the Palawis Day Care Center, the designated evacuation site.

The affected families include 13 from Sitio Balaw, 58 from Sitio Palawis, 16 from Sitio Alambihod, and 29 from Sitio Bulusan.

While the Army reported the clash occurred in Barangay Tan-awan, the local government said affected residents were from Barangay Carol-an.

Mayor Benjie Miranda assured that the city government remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of every Kabankalanon.