Armed skirmishes between suspected New People's Army rebels and government forces resumed on Friday in an upland village of San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.

Although no casualty was reported on both sides, the fleeing rebels left behind several backpacks containing subversive documents and personal belongings, Lt. Col. Jess Manangquil, 11th Infantry Battalion commander, said yesterday.

Manangquil said the encounter between his troops and an estimated 25 NPA members under the Larangan Gerilya 1 in Sitio Apog-apog, Brgy. Codcod, San Carlos City, lasted for almost 20 minutes, and the rebels scampered in different directions to take advantage of the heavy fog that served as their cover.

He added the rebels were collecting food stuff from barangay residents who secretly informed the soldiers of the presence of armed men in the area. A running gunbattle ensued.

In previous weeks, soldiers of the 11th IB also figured in two encounters with rebels in Brgy. Prosperidad, San Carlos City, and in Brgy. Pinuwayan, Salvador Benedicto.

Soldiers of the 11th and 61st IBs are spearheading the manhunt operations against these rebels who were involved in the raid and bombing of the Silay airport on Oct.8.*GPB

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