Army’s 94th Infantry (Mandirigma) Battalion prevented the attack and extortion scheme of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New Peoples Army (CPP-NPA), as they conducted combat operation against the terrorist group in Sitio Malikolik, Brgy. Carabalan, Hamamaylan City, Negros Occidental on March 25, 2022.
On March 24, 2022, CPP-NPA terrorists were seen in the vicinity of Sitio Lonoy, Brgy. Carabalan, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental by concerned civilians. Also in the area were personnel of 94IB conducting Community Support Program (CSP) Sustainment Operation in Sitio Tigbao in the same barangay.
The attack of the CPP-NPA was prevented after the community informed the CSP team about the terrorists’ location as they were extorting food supplies from the residents in the area. The encounter transpired at about 9:40 AM.
Government forces were in advantage position, causing the CPP-NPA to withdraw, leaving their supplies and other war materiel.
At about 12:05 PM, as the terrorists were withdrawing, one kilometer from the encounter site, the Bravo team of 94IB sighted the fleeing members of the terrorist group and fueled another encounter, prompting the government troops to conduct pursuit operation as of this moment.
There are possible casualties on the side of the CPP-NPA based on the bloodstains seen in their withdrawal routes.
Retrieved items left by CPP-NPA were one generator, two IEDs with fire, two rifle grenades, one bandolier with four magazines loaded with ammo, three cellular phones, seven jungle packs, three magazines short M16 loaded with ammo, one long magazine M16 empty, 100kgs of rice, six CPP-NPA flags and other subversive documents with high intelligence value.
In his statement, Major General Benedict M. Arevalo, 3ID Commander said that the encounter is a strong indication that the Army in Central and Western Visayas is serious in our campaign against insurgency.
“The encounter will significantly disrupt their extortion schemes and support system. Likewise, it will serve as an eye-opener to all rebels who still refuse to surrender that this is the perfect time to return to the government and avail its program through E-CLIP,” said MGen Arevalo.
Likewise, MGen Arevalo recognized the local populace effort in giving the troops timely and accurate information. The Commander urged them to continue supporting the government’s peace campaign in ending local communist armed conflict in this part of the country.
