A POLICEMAN was injured in a minor blast from his unit rifle during a clash with suspected rebels in Barangay Igmaya-an, Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental early Friday, February 8.
Wounded was Police Officer 3 Shaun Francis Nelmida, a member of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB)- Western Visayas.
Troops of the 605th Mobile Company, and personnel of the RMFB-Western Visayas were conducting a combat patrol in the area at 1 a.m. following the reported presence of suspected New People’s Army (NPAs), when authorities encountered three suspected rebels at an outpost believed to be owned by the enemies.
The clash lasted for five minutes.
Chief Inspector Edison Garcia, public information officer of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo), said Nelmida sustained minor injuries on his face after the gunpowder on his rifle may have exploded during the gunfire.
The rifle was used by a unit for combat operations.
Nelmida was brought to a hospital.
Authorities have yet to determine if there were casualties on the rebels’ side.
The pursuit operation is ongoing.
In Negros Oriental, troops of the 15th Infantry Battalion under the 302nd Infantry Brigade encountered about 10 suspected NPAs in Barangay Bagtik in Mabinay town at 1:30 p.m. on Friday.
The firefight ensued for 30 minutes. After which, the rebels withdrew to different directions, leaving some of their war materials and valuables.
Authorities recovered from the encounter site a firearm, an M16 rifle, 11 magazines for M16 rifle ammunition, an anti-personnel mine, rifle grenade, icom radio, subversive documents, and other personal belongings.
No casualties were reported on the government side.
The pursuit and clearing operations are ongoing. (GYM)