EVACUEES. Residents of Purok Malipayon, Barangay San Jose in Sipalay City, Negros Occidental seek shelter at an evacuation site inside Binulig Elementary School after they were displaced following an encounter between the Philippine Army's 15th Infantry Battalion troops and New People's Army rebels on Wednesday afternoon. On Thursday (Jan. 19, 2023), some 210 individuals from 53 families have been evacuated, based on the report of the City Social Welfare and Development Office. (Photo courtesy of Sipalay City-LGU)
BACOLOD CITY – Hundreds of residents were displaced while classes in three schools in Sipalay City, Negros Occidental were suspended on Thursday following two armed clashes between the Philippine Army's 15th Infantry Battalion (IB) troops and New People's Army (NPA) rebels.
2Lt. Weann Sandag, civil-military operations officer of 15IB, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that the first encounter took place around Wednesday noon in the hinterlands of Barangay Camalandaan, Cauayan and later in the afternoon in Purok Malipayon, Barangay San Jose, Sipalay during the pursuit operations on of around 20 rebels from the NPA's South West Front.
"We received information about the rebels' extortion activities. The army acted upon the report and we found it to be true," she added.
A soldier of 15IB was injured in the Sipalay encounter but is now out of danger while the evacuees from Purok Malipayon are still staying at the Binulig Elementary School in Barangay San Jose.
Sandag, who helps in debriefing and interviewing of affected individuals, said the evacuation site currently houses 210 persons, including children, from 53 families, based on the report of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).
"We are thankful to the local government of Sipalay and the CSWDO. They were ready to provide billeting areas and food packs. Other stakeholders also came here to help," she said.
Sandag said the 15IB troops are still clearing at the encounter site to ensure the safety of the residents when they return home.
"They are waiting for our go-signal to allow to allow them to go home," she added.
In a statement, the city government said classes in three schools in Barangays San Jose and Camindangan were indefinitely canceled due to armed encounters.
Affected are Binulig Elementary School, Gil Montilla National High School-Binulig Extension and Omas Integrated School.
It added that hours after the clash in Purok Malipayon, the CSWDO provided meals to the evacuees while the City Nutrition Office and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office are also working to provide their other needs.
Some 60 tents were provided to evacuees, who are also receiving medical services and medicines from the City Health Office. (PNA)
