BACOLOD CITY -- Two Army soldiers were injured in a series of encounters with suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels Thursday morning at Sitio Cunalom, Barangay Carabalan in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, police said.
A report of Police Regional Office-6 identified the wounded in action as Sgt. Jomar Dolorfino and Pvt. Jelord Para-onda from the 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB) platoon led by 1st Lt. William Portillano.
Dolorfino was wounded during the first encounter at around 6:30 a.m. while Para-onda was injured during the pursuit operation around 9:15 a.m.
The operation is ongoing as of press time.
The clash Thursday morning came two days after troops of the 62nd IB led by Captain Allen Marl Tacorda discovered an NPA encampment in Barangay Buenavista, also in Himamaylan City.
The 303rd IB reported that the rebel camp can accommodate around a hundred people that can be used for trainings and teach-ins, and as planning area for attacks.
The site also has two comfort rooms, 15 bunk beds, and a dining hall.
The Army troopers seized medical paraphernalia, binoculars, night vision goggles, five pairs of civilian boots, boxes of chalk, radio antenna, and about 20 sacks of charcoal.
Colonel Eliezer Losañes, commander of the 303rd IB based in Murcia, Negros Occidental, said in a statement they have anticipated the NPA’s offensive attacks.
“That is why, it is imperative to conduct intensive combat operations to deter the terroristic attacks,” he said.
Losañes added that given these security concerns, the 303rd IB is proactive in defeating the Community Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army in the Negros Island. (PNA)
