Soldier killed, another hurt in Negros Oriental clashes

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — A soldier was killed and another was injured after a series of clashes between government troops and the New People’s Army in Barangay Sto. Niño, Tanjay City, Negros Oriental, on Sunday.

Brig. Gen. Jason Jumawan, commander of the Army’s 302nd Infantry Brigade, confirmed that a corporal assigned to the 11th Infantry Battalion and a native of Tapaz, Capiz, died during the encounter.

His identity has not been disclosed pending the arrival of his family in the province.

According to Jumawan, troops were conducting patrol operations after receiving reports from residents about the presence of armed rebels allegedly extorting food and spreading propaganda in the area over the past two weeks.

“They’ve been subjected to that kind of treatment. Pinapatawag sila and being consolidated in one area parang two nights na,” Jumawan said.

The first firefight erupted at around 5:35 a.m. when remnants of the dismantled Southeast Front reportedly opened fire on the soldiers.

Three more encounters followed at 6:30 a.m., 7 a.m. and 7:14 a.m.

“Unfortunately merong isang namatay. You’ll never know kung saan ang kalaban. Naunahan sila,” Jumawan said.

The fatality and injury were reported during the third clash at 7 a.m.

He added that only four members of the Southeast Front remain but claimed they are being reinforced by the Southwest Front from Negros Occidental in an effort to regain their lost mass base.

“Noong nawala na ang NPA for a very long time, peaceful na pero now bumalik kaya iyong mga tao nag report,” Jumawan said.

Jumawan also linked the Southwest Front to alleged civilian killings, including the recent death of a 74-year-old grandmother in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.

“That’s why we’re running after this group to stop these killings,” he said, adding that the rebels have reportedly been harassing residents in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.

“Alam ng nga tao pumapasok din ang basic services ng government kaya mahirap din sa kanila ang nangyayari,” Jumawan said.

The remains of the fallen soldier will be brought back to his hometown.

Jumawan also visited the injured private first class, who has since been discharged from the hospital.

The soldier did not sustain a gunshot wound but was reportedly struck by stones as the encounter took place near a cliff.

No civilians were displaced, as each skirmish lasted less than 10 minutes, Jumawan said.

“There’s no need for them to evacuate. We made sure the firefight did not happen in a populated area to keep civilians out of danger,” he added.

Authorities are still verifying possible casualties on the rebel side after bloodstains were found at the encounter sites.