BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – At least 800 villagers have fled Tiyos, an upland community in the village of Quentin Remo, Moises Padilla town less than a day after scores of rebels and soldiers clashed late in the afternoon yesterday, 3 November 2021.
Town police chief, Major Randy Babor, told DNX at least 130 families fled the area after the firefight that lasted close to an hour in Tiyos where an estimated 20 rebels engaged soldiers of the 62nd and 79th Battallions in a running gunbattle that led to the confirmed death of two soldiers, the reported slaying of four rebels, and the wounding of four government troopers.
The residents have taken temporary shelter in a public school building in a nearby sub-village, Babor also said.
He added soldiers are still scouring nearby areas for the rebels while police are manning checkpoints in possible exit routes.
As this developed the 3rd Infantry Division said the Army has prevented what it called a “planned attack, extortion of NPA Terrorist in Negros.”
The release added: “Prior to the encounter, there were reports that the NPA terrorists planned to attack the ongoing Hilaitan-Trinidad Farm to Market Road in Guihulngan City. The project is already 90% completed and is constantly being secured by the government forces. The presence of NPA terrorists in Brgy. Quintin Remo, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental aims to stage attack, conduct their extortion scheme and regain their masses in the area.”
“MGen Benedict Arevalo, Commander, 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division, said that the Army will not allow the CPP NPA terrorist to stage atrocities and conduct their extortion scheme in the region.”
It added “As I direct our troops to conduct relentless military operations against these terrorists, I encourage all Negrenses to join our fight against this terrorist group by continue providing information about their plans and activities and further preventing them from casting more terror,” Arevalo said.
