Army, NPA clash in Iloilo

ILOILO CITY — The Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion (61 IB) clashed with the New People’s Army (NPA) in Leon town, Iloilo province, Tuesday morning.

Lt. Col. Sisenando Magbalot Jr., 61 IB commander, told The Manila Bulletin the encounter happened around 10:30 a.m.

The encounter came two days after the NPA raided a police station in Maasin town, hauled off high-powered firearms, and even drove off with a police service vehicle.

According to Magbalot, the NPA rebels the 61 IB soldiers encountered were believed to be from the same group that attacked the police station in Maasin town.

Troops of 61 IB reportedly received information from locals that 25 to 30 armed men were roaming the mountainous village of Lampayo.

Magbalot said initial exchange of gun fire lasted for about half an hour before some of the rebels withdrew in different directions, and government troops gave chase.

Soldiers of 61 IB soldiers were augmented by the Regional Public Safety Battalion of Police Regional Office (PRO-6) in the hot pursuit operations.

As of press time, Magbalot confirmed that a barangay tanod (village watchman) was wounded in the crossfire, while troops were still verifying if two NPA rebels were likewise wounded.

Leon town is situated in central Panay Island, which is still considered by the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) as one of the areas that still have remnants of the NPA.

Due to the incident, Mayors Rolito Cahilig of Leon and Gefree Alonsabe in neighboring Alimodian town ordered the suspension of classes for the safety of students and teachers.

Iloilo Rep. Arthur Defensor Jr. said the two incidents, which occurred in the span of only two days, were “unfortunate and uncalled for” due to ongoing peace talks between the National Democratic Front (NDF) and the national government.