ANOTHER encounter transpired between elements of 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) against the fleeing communist terrorist group (CTG) members at the hinterland of Barangay Buenavista in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, Thursday, August 11, 2022.

Captain Mervin Rosal, civil military operations officer of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, said the rebels belong to the Central Negros (CN) 2.

Rosal said with the continuous information coming from the residents, the soldiers were able to track down the fleeing NPA members who were part of the group which the government troop encountered a day before.

A 45-gun battle ensued between the soldiers and the CTG members at the barangay’s Sitio Bulasot around 9 a.m. on Wednesday where one of them died.

The military identified the casualty as Anthony Ariola, alias “Val,” member CN 2, whose remains were claimed by his family early Friday.

Following the armed encounter, the soldiers recovered an M16 rifle, two .45 caliber pistols, numerous magazines with live ammunition along with medical supplies, foodstuffs, and subversive documents.

Brigadier General Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, commended the relentless and sustained efforts displayed by the 94th Infantry "Mandirigma" Battalion headed by Lieutenant Colonel Van Donald Almonte, battalion commander, and the local populace of Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan, Negros Occidental to thwart terroristic acts of the CTGs in the area.

In a statement, Pasaporte said the CTGs in Negros have nowhere to hide as locals even in far-flung areas are cooperative and willing to take part in the government’s thrust of ending the local communist armed conflict.

He said that it only means their presence anywhere will always be reported to the proper authorities.

“The communities here in Negros are now aware and have fully realized that the senseless cause of the Communist NPA Terrorist group will never contribute to the development and progress of their community and their families as well,” Pasaporte added.