SEIZED. Soldiers of the Philippine Army's 11th Infantry Battalion clash with suspected remnants of a New People's Army front group in Barangay Nagbinlod, Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental on Wednesday (April 6, 2022). A firearm, subversive documents, and other items were recovered by soldiers from the encounter site. (Photo courtesy of the 11th IB)
DUMAGUETE CITY – Soldiers from the 11th Infantry Battalion (11IB) of the Philippine Army clashed with seven suspected members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) on Wednesday in Barangay Nagbinlod, Sta. Catalina in Negros Oriental.
Recovered from the scene of the encounter in Sitio Igang were a .38-caliber pistol, seven backpacks, four cellular phones, assorted medical supplies, a radio, a bandolier, food supplies, personal belongings, and subversive documents.
1st Lt. Rogem Pearl Lanuza, 11IB Civil-Military Operations officer, told the Philippine News Agency the firefight took place around 6:30 a.m. and lasted for about 20 minutes.
She said the soldiers patrolled the area upon receiving information from locals about the presence of armed men.
The suspected rebels, who fled after the encounter, are believed to be remnants of the NPA’s South East Front which the Philippine Army said had been dismantled last year.
Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Roderick Salayo, 11IB commanding officer, said the tip-off received from residents was an indication that civilians in Sta. Catalina are no longer supporting the NPA.
“We are thankful to the people, the police, and the local governments for cooperating with us in fighting the insurgency, and we will not stop going after these remnants until they are finally neutralized,” he said in mixed English and Filipino.
Pursuit operations continue for the suspected NPA rebels who Salayo said could also be engaged in election-related activities such as collecting money from political candidates as so-called “permit-to-campaign” and “permit-to-win” fees in remote areas.
The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
The National Democratic Front has been formally designated as a terrorist organization by the Anti-Terrorism Council on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and inseparable part” of the CPP-NPA created in April 1973. (PNA)
