BACOLOD CITY: The encounter between Army soldiers and about 15 suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels on Saturday at Sitio Tunap, Barangay San Jose, Sipalay City, Negros Occidental, has temporarily displaced 47 families, composed of more than 180 individuals.

Of the displaced families, 39 were housed at the covered court of neighboring Barangay Gil Montilla, Seventh Day Adventist and Patiotio Day Care centers. The eight other families opted to stay with relatives and friends outside the evacuation centers, said a report of the City Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Office.

The displaced families were provided with additional tents, hot meals and other food items by the City Social Welfare and Development Office.

Lt. Col. Jay Javines, 3rd Infantry Division Civil Military Operations Officer, reported that the clash between members of the 15th Infantry Battalion and an estimated 15 remnants of the weakened South West Front of the Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros/ Cebu/Bohol/Siqujor, lasted for about 10 minutes.

Javines said the fleeing rebels left behind a .45 caliber pistol, a homemade 12 gauge shotgun and personal belongings at the encounter site.

No government soldier was injured in the gunbattle, Javines said.

Javines added that pursuit operations against the fleeing rebels are still ongoing.

As of Sunday morning, the evacuees have been cleared by the military to return to their homes.