Philippines: 2 soldiers killed, 6 others hurt in central Negros clash

Two soldiers were killed while six others were injured following a series of clashes since Thursday between troops of the Philippine Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) and Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) rebels in Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental province.

The casualties were confirmed by the 94IB in a report on Saturday afternoon.

“Two heroes from the 94IB offered the ultimate sacrifice and six others were wounded during the encounter that sought to make Himamaylan City a safer place to live,” read the statement from the battalion headed by its commander, Lt. Col. Van Donald Almonte.

The 94IB has yet to identify the troopers killed and wounded in action.

Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde), condoled with the families of the two fallen soldiers and honored them for their heroism and gallantry.

“Despite the loss of our heroic soldiers, your Army in Negros will remain steadfast in defending the peace against the CPP-NPA,” he said.

Four encounters have taken place in the remote village up to Saturday afternoon, which prompted the evacuation of hundreds of families from Barangays Carabalan and Cabadiangan and neighboring villages in Binalbagan town.

Data from Himamaylan City Social Welfare and Development Office showed 436 families or 1,767 individuals have been evacuated.

Classes in these areas were also suspended starting Friday.

In a separate report, the 303IBde said the troops first encountered some 20 communist terrorists at Sitio Sig-ang around 6 a.m. on Thursday.

A 40-minute firefight ensued after which the rebels fled leaving behind their personal items and foodstuff.

Agencies