NPA cadre killed in gunfight with troops

PASIL, Kalinga – A New People’s Army cadre was killed after a firefight with a platoon of the 21st Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army under the 501st Infantry Brigade and ten fully armed NPA guerillas at the outskirts here of Barangay Bagtayan around 12 noon April 28.

Following this, a platoon led by 2Lt. Dennis William D. Villanueva was immediately dispatched to proceed in the area.

Army officials said government troops immediately fired at the guerillas which resulted to the killing of Harvey Carlos Dawaton, AKA Bady, of Bagtayan.

Firefight lasted for about 30 minutes. After the NPA members felt they were outnumbered and underpowered, they withdrew leaving their fallen comrade.

Items left by the guerillas were one M14 rifle, a fragmentation hand grenade, one jungle pack, one bandoleer, five magazines for M14 filled with seventy bullets, food, subversive documents and other personal belongings.

Bloodstains were seen at the sight making army officials say there could have been more NPA casualties.

Dawaton’s body was brought to the Pasil police office.

The group of NPA guerillas reportedly staged an earlier ambush which resulted to the death of Cpl Pantua and Pfc Coloma in Barangay Uma, Lubuagan, Kalinga last April 4.

The two soldiers were on their way to their camp from the said barangay after officiating a basketball game when they were met by Dawaton’s group.