EVACUATION. Residents of Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental evacuate on Oct. 9, 2022 following a series of firefights between government troops and New People's Army rebels that started on Oct. 6. As of Wednesday, more than 18,000 residents have sought shelter in various evacuation centers. (Photo courtesy of Himamaylan City Social Welfare and Development Office)
BACOLOD CITY – The City of Himamaylan in Negros Occidental has declared a state of calamity as 18,236 residents in three villages have been displaced by the series of armed encounters between government troops and Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) since Oct. 6.
A report of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) on Wednesday showed the figures comprise 3,795 families from directly affected Barangays Carabalan and Cabadiangan as well as the border village of Barangay 3.
Some 18 evacuation centers have been opened to shelter the fleeing residents for seven days now.
In a press briefing at the Provincial Capitol here, Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, the Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade chief, said troops of the 94th Infantry Battalion continue to conduct pursuit operations, but they are also assessing which areas can be considered safe for the residents to return home.
“We can’t leave yet since the troops still has trackings (in the area),” he added.
Six clashes had taken place from Oct. 6 to Oct. 12 mainly in the sitios of Barangay Carabalan, resulting in casualties from both sides.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said he is confident the situation will soon subside.
“In fact, the General (Pasaporte) has said we can expect a green light in certain areas where the evacuees can go back. That tells you that one, that it’s the government that is in control of the situation. We’re really looking forward to that,” he added.
As of Wednesday, the evacuees have received relief goods from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Western Visayas aside from the assistance provided by the City Social Welfare and Development Office, PSWDO, Philippine Red Cross, and various organizations in the city.
Mayor Rogelio Raymund Tiongson Jr. said the city government has allocated funds to assist the affected residents and continues to be on top of the situation.
“We have already declared the city of Himamaylan under a state of calamity so we have extra funds. The DSWD is augmenting us both in cash and kind,” he added.
On Oct. 8, two soldiers died while six others were injured following two days of skirmishes.
Two days later on Oct. 10, troops recovered the body of Romeo Nanta, the commanding officer of the Regional Operational Command of the NPA’s Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros in Sitio Medel. (PNA)
