NO HOLIDAYS. Weapons seized by the Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry Division during a previous clash with the New People's Army in this undated photo. Maj. Gen. Roberto Capulong, 2ID commander, said the bloody encounter with rebels on Sunday (Dec. 17, 2023) will not deter the military’s resolve to protect communities against terrorist groups amid the Christmas season. (Photo courtesy of 2ID)
BALAYAN, Batangas – Residents who escaped from the clashes between military and rebel forces early Sunday morning are just waiting for the government’s go-signal to return home.
In an interview Monday, municipal administrator Gonzalo Baral said the evacuees are under the care of the local government unit (LGU).
Arrangements are underway to provide them with counseling as some have been traumatized by the sudden outbreak of fighting.
He clarified that the clash, which left at least six New People’s Army (NPA) rebels and one soldier dead, took place in Barangay Malalay, an agricultural community on the fringes of the town around 2 a.m.
Specifically, the gun battle erupted in a forested location near Balayan’s border with the towns of Lian and Tuy, he added.
Baral said life in the town proper on Monday was “generally peaceful” and the continued presence of Army forces and police personnel, some of whom have established checkpoints, is giving townsfolk an added sense of security.
The official said that the encounter between government forces and rebels came as a surprise to the municipal leadership because Balayan was cleared of insurgency in 2021 and is a “thriving community” that is in line for cityhood.
“This is really unfortunate news because we (Balayan) are a first-class municipality that has seen much economic gains in recent years. In terms of population and revenues generated, we are qualified to seek cityhood already. We are hoping this development does not set us back” Baral told the Philippine News Agency in Filipino.
He said despite Sunday’s armed encounter, it is business as usual for the LGU.
The distribution of Christmas assistance by the Municipal Social Welfare and Development to qualified beneficiaries also pushed through on Monday.
A staff member of Batangas Gov. Hermilando Mandanas said that the provincial government is ready to provide assistance to Balayan residents displaced or otherwise affected by the clash, but underscored that municipal authorities are already providing care to evacuees.
Maj. Gen. Roberto Capulong, commander of the Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry Division, said in a statement that the encounter “will not deter our resolve to continue our sworn duty in ensuring the safety and security of our communities against these terrorist groups, especially this Yuletide Season.”
Pursuit operations are ongoing for the fleeing NPA rebels.
Government troops also recovered two M16 rifles, one M653 rifle, one shotgun, and subversive documents from the encounter site.
The Philippine Coast Guard's Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog (CGDSTL) said in a statement posted online that it has enhanced the security at ports and other key areas along the region's coastline immediately following the Balayan encounter.
"[T]he PCG has elevated its vigilance along coastal areas, implementing enhanced security protocols and intensifying maritime patrol operations in alignment with the Department of Transportation's activation of Oplan Ligtas Biyahe: Pasko 2023," the CGDSTL said in the same statement. (PNA)
