More than 400 soldiers belonging to the 20th Infantry Battalion arrived Wednesday from Samar to beef up the government’s strength in Negros Oriental, which was recently declared as a conflict-manageable province.
The soldiers replaced the 3rd Scout Ranger Company, which was also deployed to Samar.
Military and civilian officials led by Army MGen Aurelio Baladad, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, Brig. Gen. Francisco Patrimonio, commander of the 302nd Infantry Battalion, Negros Oriental Vice Gov. Mark Macias, and Provincial Administrator Richard Enojo met the soldiers upon their arrival at the Dumaguete port on board the BRP Dagupan City.
A government press release said the soldiers from the 20th IB will be in Negros Oriental for two to three months.
The troops from the 20th IB arrived less than a week after an encounter in the hinterland barangay of Sto Nino in Tanjay City left four communist rebels killed, while two other rebels surrendered to the government troops.
The slain rebels belonged to a group of 24 armed guerillas believed to be members of the NPA South East Front of the Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros.
In the course of the encounter, an army soldier, Cpl. Milbert Dapilaga of the 79th IB, was also hit in the leg.
Government troops also recovered one M-16 armalite rifle.
Only one of the four slain rebels was identified as Diosdado Aming Dacal-dacal, the squad leader. (PIA/PNA)
