Classes in two villages to resume after armed encounters

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Classes in all schools in Barangays Carabalan and Cabadiangan in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental will resume starting Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022.

This, after Mayor Raymund Tongson Jr. issued and signed an Executive Order on Oct. 16, declaring the resumption of classes based on the recommendation of the Department of Education (DepEd) during a consultation.

It was on Oct. 6 when Tongson ordered the suspension of classes in these two villages following a clash between the Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) and the New People’s Army (NPA) that first erupted at Sitio Sig-ang in Barangay Carabalan on the same day.

The encounter then lasted until Oct. 12 which killed two soldiers and alleged wanted NPA leader Romeo Nanta alias “Juanito Magbanua”, and wounded six other soldiers.

However, Tongson, in an executive order, noted that students residing in Sitio Campayas, Medel, and Sig-ang in Barangay Carabalan were excluded, as they will be provided with modules in various evacuation centers, where they are temporarily staying.

These three sitios have yet to be cleared by the Philippine Army from insurgency threat. Thus, even affected residents from these areas remain at the evacuation centers.

However, residents of other sitios in Barangay Carabalan and one sitio in Barangay Cabadiangan were already allowed to go home since Oct. 15.

Meanwhile, the Diocese of Dumaguete, through its Social Action Ministry, appeals for prayers and assistance to the affected residents.

The Diocese calls for everyone’s help as the evacuees need food, water, hygiene, and sleeping kits.

“In solidarity with our neighboring Diocese of Kabankalan, we ask for everyone’s help in this pressing and depressing concern,” the Diocese of Dumaguete said in a statement.