Classes suspended, 149 families displaced in another Escalante clash

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The city government of Escalante, Negros Occidental, has once again suspended classes in eight villages as of Tuesday, February 27, until further notice. This action follows another clash with the New People’s Army (NPA) that erupted in Barangay Pinapugasan.

Through a Facebook post, Mayor Melecio Yap Jr. announced the suspension of classes for elementary, junior, and senior high schools in the Barangays of Libertad, Pinapugasan, Binaguiohan, Paitan, Dian-ay, Magsaysay, Malasibog, and Tamlang.

Lieutenant Colonel J-jay Javines, head of the Division Public Affairs Office (DPAO) of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (ID), reported that the latest encounter resulted in the displacement of 149 families or 372 individuals.

These individuals are now taking temporary refuge at the barangay hall and Pinapugasan National High School.

Troops from the 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) were in pursuit of the fleeing remnants of the dismantled Northern Negros Front (NNF)-D when another firefight broke out last Tuesday. This was a continuation of a series of clashes that also transpired in the same village on February 21 and 22.

From the recent encounter, military troopers recovered six high-powered firearms, including three carbine rifles, two Garand rifles, and an M14 rifle.

Other war materials seized included four rifle grenades, two short magazines and a long magazine for carbine, a magazine for an M14 rifle, a bloc clip for a Garand rifle, and various ammunition.

These recoveries contribute to a total of 16 high-powered firearms seized by government forces in a series of encounters with the NPA since last week.

The operations neutralized three alleged members of the NNF-D of the Komiteng Rehiyon – Negros Cebu Bohol Siquijor (KR-NCBS), wounded three soldiers, and injured a militiaman.

The captured weapons from February 21 and 22 include an M16 rifle, an AK47 rifle, an M653 rifle, four M1 Garand rifles, two M1 carbines rifles, and an M14 rifle.

Additionally, four low-powered firearms, several explosives, including an anti-personnel mine, eight rifle grenades, and a hand grenade, along with explosive paraphernalia and other war materials, were also seized.

The 3ID considers this a significant breakthrough in their mission to pursue the remnants of the NNF-D.

“Our commitment persists until we establish stable internal peace and security for all Negrenses,” Major General Marion Sison, 3ID commander, stated.

Sison emphasized that their shared goal of pursuing and dismantling the remnants of the NPA is crucial to prevent their regaining influence in Negros.

“With Negrenses working alongside the government, we are optimistic that achieving a state of stable internal peace and security on Negros Island is within our grasp,” he said.

Sison also reiterated his call to the remaining NNF-D members to surrender peacefully.

“Your comrades are gradually falling at the hands of our government forces, and your ammunition and weapons are dwindling. It is better for you to surrender now before you suffer the same fate as other NPAs in previous encounters,” Sison advised, emphasizing the value of life and family.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel Arnel Calaoagan, 79th IB commander, visited the troops on-site to boost their morale as they continue the fight against the NPA.

Calaoagan urged community members to remain vigilant, report any suspicious activities, and extend full cooperation to help the troops prevent NPA atrocities. “Together, through unity and shared commitment, we can work hand in hand to finish the fight against the NPA and build a safer, more resilient future for Negrenses,” he concluded.