Classes in all public and private schools in two districts of Naujan town have been suspended beginning on Thursday (July 30), following an armed encounter that left two alleged New People’s Army (NPA) rebels dead and another captured, local and military authorities said.
In an official statement issued Wednesday (July 29), Mayor Henry Joel Teves ordered the suspension of classes in all school levels in Districts 7 and 8 ‘until areas are declared safe and secured by proper authorities.’
The suspension came hours after government troops clashed with around 10 suspected NPA members in Barangay Del Pilar during a combat operation.
According to the Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry (Jungle Fighter) Division, soldiers responded to information from residents about the presence of armed rebels in the village.
Authorities have yet to release the identities of the fatalities and the arrested combatant.
Soldiers recovered components for improvised explosive devices, food supplies, and personal belongings allegedly abandoned by fleeing rebels.
Pursuit operations against the remaining members of the armed group were ongoing as of Wednesday, the Army said.