Three army troopers killed, 3 hurt NPA rebs in Abra ambush pursued

LICUAN-BAAY, Abra – Government troopers are now pursuing New People’s Army guerillas who ambushed and killed three army soldiers here on Oct. 30.

Pursuing soldiers of the Army’s 503rd Brigade based in Lagangilang town recovered two high-powered firearms and several clips of ammunition from an abandoned house at Barangay Apao, Tineg, last Tuesday during operations.

Earlier, three others were also injured after local rebels waylaid a military truck in this remote town.

Killed were Phillip Balonggay Jr., Anofre Doca and Joel Suria, all private first class.

Wounded were Corporal William Gonzales, Pfcs Ronald Siazon, Eulogio Mangano, Joey Balmes and Private Celso Kelang

Leon Talleo, spokesman of Cordillera police told newsmen said army troopers from the 41st Infantry Battalion led by Corporal Gonzales aboard a truck were conducting security check when they were fired upon by the NPA rebels.

Meanwhile, at about 6:30 that day, reinforcement troops led by a certain Captain Tayaban and 1st Lt. Capoquian also aboard a truck escorted by a V150 armored vehicle while proceeding at the encounter site were also fired upon by another group of NPA rebels along Barangay Bunglo, Licuab Baay.

Bodies of the slain soldiers were brought to the Baquiran Funeral Homes in the capital town of Bangued.

Meanwhile, the wounded were brought to the Bangued Provincial Hospital for medical treatment.

Meanwhile, Col. Noel T. Baluyan, commander of the army’s 41st Infantry Battalion, in a report to Col. Danny Pabunan, commander of army’s 503rd Brigade, said a platoon of soldiers discovered the firearms after scouring the area for retreating NPA rebels.

Baluyan said the troops recovered one M1 Garand rifle and one Carbine rifle with 22 and 15 rounds of ammunition, respectively.

He said the communist rebels may have left the firearms and dressed as ordinary civilians to avoid the pursuing government troops.

“It has been a common tactic of the NPA rebels to mix up with the local populace once they are encircled or besieged,” Baluyan said.

Government troops are now tracking down the ambushers in the hinterlands of Licuan Baay and nearby towns in Abra and expect more skirmishes as rebels are very active in this part of the region.

Earlier, Diego Wadagan, speaking on behalf of the Abra-based Agustin Begnalen Command of the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army denounced government military troopers for hiding behind the cloak of relief operations to launch attacks against rebels in Tineg, Lacub and Malibcong, all upland Abra towns.

The NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has been waging a guerrilla campaign in the countryside for four decades.

Military estimates the NPA strength at more than 4,000 men scattered in more than 60 guerrilla fronts throughout the country. – With a report from Freddie Lazaro