CLASH SITE. A site map of the encounters between government troopers and remnants of the Northern Negros Front of the New People’s Army in Escalante City, Negros Occidental on Feb. 21 and 22, 2024. The Philippine Army said there were no more encounters on Friday morning (Feb. 23), but pursuit and clearing operation are still ongoing. (Image courtesy of Philippine Army-79IB)
BACOLOD CITY – Classes have been suspended in Toboso town and in eight villages in Escalante City, Negros Occidental on Friday as government troopers conduct pursuit and clearing operations against remnants of the dismantled Northern Negros Front (NNF) of the New People’s Army (NPA).
In Escalante City, Mayor Melecio Yap Jr. ordered the suspension of classes in all levels until further notice in the villages of Pinapugasan, Libertad, Binaguiohan, Paitan, Dian-ay, Magsaysay, Malasibog and Tamlang.
Sitio Mansulao in Barangay Pinapugasan has been the center of several encounters on Wednesday and Thursday, resulting in the death of three NPA rebels and injuries to four government troopers.
Renewed skirmishes started Wednesday morning after government troopers engaged eight NPA rebels who have been threatening and asking money and food from the locals.
Yap assured the residents that the city government is taking all steps to ensure their safety, and to provide assistance to the affected families following reports of evacuation of residents in Barangay Pinapugasan and Binaguiohan.
Yap also urged the remnants of the NNF to leave the armed struggle and return to the fold of the law.
In neighboring Toboso town, Mayor Madonnah Jaojoco issued an executive order suspending classes until the directive is revoked.
“This is to ensure the safety of the learners or students and school personnel,” she said.
Meanwhile, Lt. Col. J-Jay Javines, public affairs chief of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, said there were no more encounters on Friday morning, but troops of the 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) were still conducting pursuit and clearing operations.
On Thursday night, two Philippine Air Force Agusta A109 attack helicopters conducted air assault in the hinterlands of Escalante City to target the stronghold of the remnants of the dismantled NPA front.
The 79IB utilized close air support on its eighth recorded encounter. (PNA)
