THE 224 individuals who evacuated from two villages in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental have returned to their homes following an encounter between the 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) of the Philippine Army and suspected members of New People's Army (NPA) at Barangay Guadalupe on Monday.

Twenty-seven families from Barangay Nataban and 19 families from Barangay Buluangan were temporarily sheltered at Handalagan Elementary School and Mabato Elementary School, respectively, through the assistance of the barangay officials, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and local government unit of San Carlos City. While at the evacuation center, they were provided with basic needs.

Superintendent D'Artagnan Katalbas, city police chief, said the evacuees were also enlightened regarding the encounter and the current situation in their community through a dialogue initiated by the military forces in partnership with the different concerned government-agencies and stakeholders Thursday.

On April 16, the military troops engaged in a 20-minute firefight with 30 suspected NPA members while they were conducting community security patrol following the reports from concerned citizens about the alleged harassment and extortion activities in the area.

It also resulted in the discovery of a campsite, where they recovered a solar panel, subversive documents, and other personal belongings owned by the rebels. No casualty on the government troops, but it remains undetermined on the enemy’s side.

Lieutenant Colonel Emelito Thaddeus Logan, commanding officer of the 79th Infantry Battalion, said the "tip from concerned citizens is a clear indication that the community is tired of the NPA’s ruthlessness and extortion activities in the area.”

In a press release Thursday, April 19, the 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army under the leadership of Brigadier General Dinoh Dolina is calling on the populace to remain vigilant and report the presence of these terrorists to stop them from staging more terror in the community.

“We are encouraging the members of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA terrorists to give peace a chance, abandon armed struggle and return to the folds of the government,” Dolina said.

The army, police, and the community are willing to help and support your transformation towards a new and peaceful life, Dolina added.