Authorities have denied social media posts about civilians, including children, allegedly getting killed during a clash between the 91st Infantry "Sinagtala" Battalion and suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA) in a mountainous area of Dipaculao, Aurora.

The police said the social media posts that said the encounter reached the neighboring town of Maria Aurora sowed fear among residents and forced 381 families in Barangays Cadayacan and Bayanihan to flee their homes. 

Police said there were no civilian casualties during the clash. 

“Dahil po itong mga kababayan natin ay nag-panic at sila ay natakot, lalo na at may mga lumalabas po sa social media na fake news, kaya maraming natakot, kaya halos lahat ng residente ay umalis na sa kanilang tahanan at nagpunta po rito sa ating mga evacuation center,” PMAJ. Michelle Paulino, Chief of Dipaculao Philippine National Police (PNP), said.

“Mas pinalala po ang kanilang takot ng mga larawan na di umano’y may mga namatay sa engkwentro — mga nadamay na sibilyan at mga nadamay na bata — at ito po ay mariing pinabulaanan ng ating mga kasamang sundalo [na] yan po ay hindi sa atin nangyari,” Paulino added.

Some residents said they were scared upon hearing the gunshots, not knowing where they were coming from.

As a result of the incident, Dipaculao was placed on high alert, and work and school activities were canceled.

According to the Dipaculao Police Station, some residents returned to their homes shortly after.

The military and PNP have implemented checkpoints at the province's entry and exit points for public security.