Evacuees have started returning home to Sitio Harvey, Brgy. Minapasok, Calatrava, after soldiers were pulled out from the area as a result of initial talks between the Philippine Army and leaders of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade, the military said yesterday.

Col. Honorato de los Reyes, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, yesterday confirmed the pull-out of troops from the encounter site, except for some in neighboring barangays, due to reported sightings of New People’s Army rebels.

The Provincial Welfare and Development Office had earlier reported the evacuation of 124 families in the sitio, because of military operations.

The evacuation was triggered by a running gunbattle between Army Scout Rangers and  RPA-ABB members on Feb. 19, which was blamed on lack of coordination between the two parties.

De los Reyes said a meeting will be held among local military and RPA-ABB commanders on March 4, to ensure the coordination among the two parties.

The Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa-Pilipinas and its armed wing, RPA-ABB, a breakaway faction of the CPP-NPA, entered into peace talks with the government year 2000. It also paved the way for the suspension of armed hostilities between the two parties

RPA-ABB spokesman Victorino Sumulong said one of their members was slightly injured in the gunbattle.

De los Reyes said he received reports that there were some people who discouraged evacuees from returning to their homes for still unknown reasons, while others opted to stay because free food was being given out.

Residents have nothing to fear if they return to Sitio Harvey, he said.*GPB

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