2 soldiers die, 6 injured on third day of clashes in Himamaylan, Negros Occidental

BACOLOD, Philippines — Two soldiers of the 94th Infantry Battalion were killed on Saturday, October 8, in Himamaylan City in Negros Occidental province as clashes between government troops and the New People’s Army continued for the third day.

A statement from the military said: “Two heroes of the 94IB offered the ultimate sacrifice and six others were wounded,” in the fourth clash since the Army unit stumbled on a group of NPA rebels on Thursday morning, October 6, in Sitio Sig-ang, Barangay Carabalan.

“Close air support was employed to suppress the enemy fire and extricate the wounded troops. Successive delivery of close air support forced the enemy to withdraw in different directions,” the statement added.

Ka Bayani Obrero|, the spokesperson of the National Democratic Front Negros Island on October 8 condemned “the relentless bombing” by the Philippine Army.

“We have just received reports from Mount Cansermon Command – NPA South Central Negros Front (MCC-NPA) that Sitio Double Yarding, Barangay Mahalang in Himamaylan City was bombed yesterday and this morning. Bombing incidents lasting for 20 minutes were reported this morning as well in Sitio Cunalom and parts of Casipungan, Cambulan, Pangi and Igaw, all of Barangay Carabalan,” the statement said.

Residents who fled on October 6 said the AFP brought in artillery on Thursday afternoon.

As the war front widened, moving closer to the southern city’s border with Binalbagan town, more residents of mountain hamlets fled their communities for barangay centers, schools, churches and other establishments that would open doors to them.

“We have 500 households just in the main evacuation center,” a City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) staff told Rappler in a telephone interview. “All in all 1,200 households are temporarily homeless.”

While the full updated lists still have to arrive at the center, the staff said that if every household has an average of five members, the total number of evacuees would be 2,500 – “probably higher”.

CSWD chief Ever Grace Castro urged residents in affected areas to come to sites outside of the conflict zone.

“The city has received so many text messages and calls from affected families calling for rescue and food augmentation,” the CSWD said on its Facebook page on Saturday.

“The city is listening and we are worried. If the Philippine Army allows us to, we will respond immediately to your requests,” the office said.

“We cannot reach you there. The Army won’t allow us in for safety reasons. We hope you understand,” the CSWD explained in the local Hiligaynon.

The CSWD teams fanned out even as the 303rd Infantry Brigade in Negros Occidental sent air assets and other equipment to support the 94th IB’s pursuit of an estimated 20 to 40 communist rebels.

Brigadier General Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade (303rd IB) and 94th IB chief Lieutenant Colonel Van Donald Almonte flew a Philippine Air Force Black Hawk helicopter on Saturday, October 7 to survey encounter sites.

Relief aid has poured in from private groups, including student councils and the Philippine Red Cross, and from other local government units (LGUs).

Kabankalan City Mayor Bengie Miranda arrived at the Gawad Kalinga main evacuation site with five sacks of rice, boxes of sardines, laundry and bath soap, diapers, biscuits and candles. – Rappler.com,