AN ARMED encounter that lasted around 15 minutes transpired between the government troops and members of the communist terrorist group (CTG) in the mountainous area of Calatrava town, Negros Occidental Wednesday, June 22, 2022.

Brigadier General Inocencio Pasaporte, commanding officer of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, said residents in Sitio Tinibiangan in the town’s Barangay Minapasuk informed the army of the presence of about 10 armed men.

Pasaporte said the rebels, who were reportedly led by “Ka Rigor,” were surprised upon the arrival of the members of the 79th Infantry Battalion.

He said the rebels are members of the Sentro De Grabidad Negros, who are trying to recover their weakened forces in the hinterland parts of the island.

As of Wednesday, pursuit operation against the rebels is ongoing.

Pasaporte said no soldiers were injured during the encounter.

Though bloodstains were seen at the site of the gunbattle, he said they cannot if there injuries and casualties on the side of the rebels.