Two soldiers, a member of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU), and a civilian sustained non-fatal gunshot wounds after a five-minute firefight between Philippine Army troops and suspected New People's Army (NPA) rebels in Sitio Bulod, Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, at approximately 8:50 p.m. on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
Brig. Gen. Ted Dumosmog, commander of the Philippine Army's 303rd Infantry Brigade, confirmed the incident and said pursuit operations are ongoing.
94IB Patrol Encounters Armed Rebels Near Roadside
According to Brig. Gen. Dumosmog, troops of the 94th Infantry Battalion (94IB) were conducting a security patrol in Sitio Bulod after residents reported the presence of armed individuals in the area. The soldiers encountered approximately five suspected NPA members near a roadside, triggering the exchange of gunfire.
The 303rd Infantry Brigade identified the rebels as remnants of Central Negros 2 under Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, referred to in military communications as CN2, KR-N.
All Four Wounded in Stable Condition
Brig. Gen. Dumosmog said all four wounded individuals sustained non-fatal injuries and are in stable condition. The brigade's official statement described the government casualties as three troops, comprising two soldiers and one CAFGU member.
The wounded civilian — identified by Digicast Negros as a 38-year-old male resident of Barangay Carabalan — was evacuated and is being treated at a local hospital for a gunshot wound. According to the report, the man had gone to the area to collect his father's salary at the time of the clash.
Dumosmog said no residents were displaced as a result of the encounter. The military has not determined whether any rebels were wounded or killed during the firefight.
Civilian Calls Attack Cruel and Inhumane
In a statement released by the 303rd Infantry Brigade, the wounded civilian said he had done nothing wrong to the rebels and questioned why he was harmed. He praised the 94IB for its assistance to residents of Barangay Carabalan, expressed hope for justice, and described the attack on him and the soldiers as cruel and inhumane.
Brigade Condemns Attack, Vows Continued Pursuit
"We strongly condemn the violent and cowardly attack by remnants of CN2, KR-N," Dumosmog said in the brigade's statement. He added that endangering and injuring an innocent civilian was "an inhumane, lawless act."
Dumosmog said pursuit operations will continue until those responsible are held accountable. The 94IB remains deployed in and around Sitio Bulod and nearby communities, according to the brigade.
Earlier Clash in Escalante City on September 29
The Himamaylan encounter follows a clash on September 29, 2026, in Escalante City, also in Negros Occidental, which left two soldiers wounded and a CAFGU Active Auxiliary member dead, according to news reports.
Barangay Carabalan, a hinterland village that borders Negros Oriental, has been the site of repeated armed encounters between the 94IB and NPA rebels in recent years.
The NPA's regional command in Negros had not issued a statement on the October 17 incident as of press time.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army