The New People’s Army (NPA) has claimed responsibility for an armed attack on Philippine Army troops and Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) members in Escalante City, Negros Occidental, that killed one CAFGU member and wounded two soldiers on September 29, 2026.
The rebel group’s Roselyn Jean Pelle Command issued a statement on October 6 saying its fighters carried out what it described as a “harassment operation” against personnel of the 79th Infantry Battalion and CAFGU members in Sitio Bautista, Barangay Malasibog, at approximately 3 p.m. that day.
NPA Says Fighters Withdrew Without Casualties
The statement, signed by Ka Cecil Estrella, spokesperson of the Northern Negros Guerrilla Front, said the exchange of fire lasted approximately three minutes before the rebel unit withdrew. According to the group’s account, its fighters suffered no casualties in the encounter.
The NPA further alleged that soldiers and CAFGU members continued firing for nearly an hour after the initial clash ended. The group claimed this was done to make the incident appear to the public as a prolonged, sustained encounter.
The rebel group said the attack was carried out in response to what it described as growing militarization in the area. It also claimed continued community support from residents of Toboso and Escalante.
Army Gives a Different Account of the Clash
The Philippine Army presented a different version of events. According to the military, personnel of the 79th Infantry Battalion, along with CAFGU auxiliaries, were conducting a routine security patrol in the area when they came under attack by an armed group.
The Army said the encounter lasted approximately 10 minutes — significantly shorter than the near-hour of continued fire alleged by the NPA, but longer than the three-minute exchange the rebel group described for the initial clash.
The military has not yet issued a formal public statement addressing the NPA’s specific allegations about the prolonged firing or the rebel group’s claims regarding civilian support in the area.
Thirteen Families Flee Sitio Bautista After Clash
Beyond the military casualties, the armed encounter displaced residents of the immediate area. According to reports, 13 families totaling 41 individuals fled their homes in Sitio Bautista following the clash, driven by fear over the armed confrontation in their community.
The displacement of civilians underscores the direct impact of the armed encounter on non-combatant residents in the barangay. Calls have continued for the safety of civilians in the affected area and for a return to peace.
By the Numbers
- 1 CAFGU member killed in the September 29 attack
- 2 soldiers wounded in the encounter
- 3 minutes — duration of the exchange as claimed by the NPA
- 10 minutes — duration of the encounter as stated by the Philippine Army
- Nearly 1 hour — length of continued firing alleged by the NPA after the initial clash
- 13 families (41 individuals) displaced from Sitio Bautista following the incident
Why This Matters
The attack in Escalante City highlights the continued armed activity of NPA units in Negros Occidental, with the 79th Infantry Battalion and CAFGU auxiliaries directly engaged in the clash. The displacement of 41 civilians from 13 families illustrates that armed encounters between government forces and rebel groups carry immediate humanitarian consequences for rural communities. The conflicting accounts from the NPA and the Philippine Army also reflect the ongoing information environment surrounding counter-insurgency operations in the region.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of the Philippine Army / 3rd Infantry Division
