Army soldier wounded in clash with NPAs
TACLOBAN CITY – A member of the Army’s 14th Infantry Battalion was wounded in an encounter between the military and NPA rebels in Sitio Bagti, Brgy., Mabini, Basey, Samar at 2 p.m. yesterday.
Lt. Col. Armand Rico, spokesperson of the 8th Infantry Division, said that Pfc. Jonel Doron was slightly wounded during the encounter but is now in stable condition.
Rico said that the encounter transpired following information from civilians that armed men were conducting extortion activities in the area which is identified by the military as one of the most NPA infiltrated barangay among the 93 villages in Basey.
It was learned that prior to the encounter a squad under 1Lt Del Rosario was deployed to check more than 15 armed men believed to be members of the NPA rebels were seen resting at a forested area in the same sitio after conducting extortion activities.
The exchange of gunfire lasted for about 10 minutes prompting the rebels to withdraw bringing along with them their wounded comrades.
Rico’s report disclosed that a caliber .30 caliber rifle, three combat packs, volume of subversive documents and personal belongings were some of the articles recovered after the group of Lt. Del Rosario scoured the scene of encounter.
Major General Arthur Tabaquero, commanding general of the Army’s 8th ID, hailed the successful implementation of their ISO campaign even before the end of this year.
At the same time the Army general salutes the sacrifices of his soldiers who are in the “frontline” of the campaign fearlessly at risk just to maintain peace in their respective area.
“This is a manifestation that our people’s minds are already aware with the true score of the communist rebels operating in their area. The series of encounters between the troops and the rebels due to the people’s report proves that our people are already acting for their cause,” Tabaquero said.
Rico, on his part, said that “The long deprived peace and progress will soon be achieved because no less than the people themselves want the terrorist to be completely eliminated in the region.”
The entire military in the region has been placed under red alert status, despite orders from President Arroyo to observe a ceasefire during holiday season because of the December 26 CPP-NPA founding anniversary.
Earlier, military officials candidly disclosed that the declaration of ceasefire could no longer be trusted as NPAs usually do not respect it. Instead, this is being taken advantage of by launching atrocities against government troops. (MIRIAM GARCIA DESACADA)
- Govt troops discover NPA camp in N. Samar after brief firefight
- NPA rebel killed in clash with soldiers
- 2 Army soldiers killed in NPA attack
- 19IB feats over NPA rebels killing one and recovering firearm
- 8th ID claims NPA plans to collect permit to win
