Soldier hurt in clash with rebels in Manjuyod

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A soldier was injured in a clash against seven suspected New People’s Army (NPA) at Sitio Mangasaha, Barangay Candabong, Manjuyod, Negros Oriental Friday morning.

Authorities withheld the name of the wounded soldier in the meantime.

A report from the Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) said that the firefight lasted for about five minutes prompted the enemies to scamper in the area.

The soldier suffered injuries on his right thumb and left thigh due to shrapnel and was brought to a hospital.

Meanwhile, reports also showed that the NPA suffered several casualties as indicated by the bloodstains found on their trail and based on the reports of the civilians.

The operating troops are still conducting clearing and pursuit operations in the encounter site.

Lieutenant Colonel Randy Pagunuran, 94th IB commander, in a press statement, said that “this encounter is the effort of the government troops to pursue intensified combat operations to End Local Communist Armed Conflict after the ceasefire ended last January 7, 2020.”

“We will continue to hunt down the Communist NPAs to stop their terroristic activities that brought fear in the communities,” he added.

“I urge the people of Manjuyod as well the whole Negrosanons to participate in the efforts of the Whole-of-nation approach to End the Local Communists Armed Conflict in Negros Island to fulfil our desire to have a peaceful and progressive Province,” he said.