The Philippine Army declared another victory in its anti-insurgency operationfollowing the deaths of four Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) rebels during an encounter in Barangay Carabalan in Himamaylan, Negros Occidental on Wednesday.
In a statement on Thursday, the 3rd Infantry Division led by Brig. Gen. Marion Sison said that the NPA "suffered a huge debacle" in the latest clash, which occurred five months after a series of encounters in the same village.
Troops from the 94th Infantry Battalion (94IB) engaged around 20 communist rebels in a 20-minute firefight on Wednesday morning, injuring one soldier and killing four NPA fighters who has yet to be identified, as of writing.
The troops responded to reports of armed men approaching the villagers and demanding food and supplies.
Moreover, the troops recovered two M16 rifles attached to M203 grenade launchers, two AK-47 assault rifles, a hand grenade, four rounds of M203 grenade launcher ammunition, four M16 magazines, seven AK-47 magazines, and assorted ammunition during the clearing operation.
Backpacks, a compass, two flashlights, food, personal belongings, subversive documents, and a stack of extortion letters were among the other items recovered.
He urged the last NPA insurgents to surrender peacefully.
At least 181 families were displaced in five villages as a result of the clash, and they were evacuated to the village covered court.
