NPAs attack soldiers, civilians; i dead, 2 hurt

By Myds Supnad

CAMP AQUINO, Tarlac City-Local officials and Northern Luzon army soldiers decried the attack on civilians and government forces carrying relief goods but were allegedly ambushed by suspected New People’s Army  rebels killing one soldier and wounding two others in Aurora.

"The excitement of the local children at Singawan Elementary School  in receiving their gifts turned trauma from a terrifying NPA ambush," said the Army in a statement sent to newsmen.

 On August 19, at about 10 a.m. ,the army claimed that while the Charlie Company, 56th Infantry Battalion, 7th Infantry (KAUGNAY) Division, Philippine Army and the Local Government Unit of Dingalan, Aurora were on their way to deliver the gifts to the children of Sitio Singawan Elementary School, Barangay Umiray, Dingalan town, Aurora aboard two motorboats, an undetermined number of NPA rebels suddenly attacked and fired on the motorboats.

 The civilians got panicked   causing the boat to capsize. The security troops led by 2nd Lt. Ghelyn Batomalaque, defended and secured their group and traded shots with the rebels. 

However, one soldier was killed and two others wounded from the government. 

Casualty from the NPA remains undetermined.

 The Mayor of Dingalan, Aurora, Sherwin Taay who was the head of the gift-giving activity also denounced the NPA attack.

       He said the incident only served to strengthen them in performing their civic responsibilities to the people of Sitio Singawan.

Maj.Gen. Angelito de Leon, , commander of the 7th Infantry Division, Philippine Army,   ordered pursuit operation against the alleged NPAs.