BANSALAN, Davao del Sur — More than a hundred residents of Sitio Mahayahay, Barangay Alegre of this town fled their homes following a broad daylight encounter between the military and New People’s Army on Saturday.
Bansalan town Mayor Quirina Sarte immediately convened the local crisis management committe to dispatch food stuffs to the evacuees early on Sunday.
“We have delivered food stuffs to 189 people who fled from their homes during the encounter. It is only good for three days,” Sarte told journalists during a press briefing on Sunday afternoon.
She admitted that there are lots of children that has been displaced as aftermath of the skirmishes. Some evacuees temporarily lived with their relatives, others in a covered court of a nearby village.
Army Col. Tyne Bañas, 1002nd Infantry Brigade said troops are still in the process of assessing the extent of the damage to properties or lives brought about by the clash between his men and the NPA rebels where a suspected massive camp has been overran.
“We knew that some evacuees are eager to return to their homes, but we could not allow them since pursuit and clearing operations are still ongoing. They must not gamble their lives at this point in time. I know their predicaments,” Bañas said.
Evacuees who came from Barangay Managa and Alegre will stay where they are today for at least one or two weeks, the military said.
The military said at about 11 am on Feb. 25 soldiers from the 39th Infantry Battalion were conducting combat operations in Sitio Mahayahay when they encountered at least 30 heavily armed rebels belonging to the subegional committee 3 of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee where a fierce firefight ensued that lasted for an hour.
As the NPA rebels withdrew from their position, troopers requested for close fire support using two MG520 attack helicopters backed up by 105 Howitzer high-explosive rounds aimed towards the NPA’s position.
An M16 rifle, improvised explosive device, two cellular phones, backpacks and assorted medical paraphernalia belonging to the rebels were found at the battlefield during the initial clearing operations.
Lt. Col. Marion Angcao, commander of the 73rd Infantry Battalion said the discovery of tents is an indication that the NPA has a considerable number in the area.
“My men are closely coordinating with the elements of the 39th IB since this is part of our area of responsibility,” Angcao said. (Eldie S. Aguirre)
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