Indignation rally held:2 soldiers slain in Sagada NPA ambush, 6 injured

SAGADA, Mountain Province – An indignation rally, led mostly by  students, rolled out into the streets of this tourist town Wednesday to deplore violence as a result of clashes between the New People’s Army and government forces, the latest of which was on Nov. 30 which led to the death of two soldiers and wounding of six others. 

The military announced the deaths of Privates First Class (PFCs) Moses Ing-inga and Kidja Hancel Onnon, both from army’s 54th Infantry Battalion as a result of the Nov. 30 ambush staged by the NPA around 10 p.m.at SitioPogew, Barangay Tetep-an here.

Five other troopers wounded in the ambush are now recuperating at Bontoc General Hospital in Mountain Province.

The soldiers, were attacked as they were returning from a three-day youth leadership summit at Sagada National High School.

On Wednesday, 400 students and teachers from Sagada National High School, Antadao National High School, Bangaan National High School and St. Mary High School, all in Sagada, staged a rally in Barangay Poblacion.

Joined by local officials and elders led by Sagada Mayor Eduardo T. Latawan, Jr., they deplored clashes between the NPA and government forces in the province in the province as the Cordillera tries to rise from the influence of insurgency and look forward to peace and progress.

Finch Luna, the Sagada YLS president, said the youth of Sagada were saddened over had what happened to the soldiers who taught them the proper way of reaching out to local folk and strive for peace and development.

Captain Randy R. Sta. Maria, speaking for the army’s 5th Infantry Division in Camp Melchor F. Dela Cruz, Gamu, Isabela province, said the soldiers belonged to the army’s 54th Infantry Batallion based in Mountain Province.

 “Our troops were on their way to their patrol base at the police provincial office in Bontoc Mountain Province after they conducted a youth leadership summit at Sagada National High School, Sagada town when they were ambushed by undetermined number of NPA remnants,” said Sta. Maria.

He said the ambush soldiers returned fire when they were ambushed causing rebels to withdraw.

“The recent incident is also a clear violation of the declaration by the provincial government led by Gov. Leonardo Mayaen and Vice Gov. Bonifacio Lacwasan Jr, that Mt Province is generally peace full and ready for development,” Sta. Maria said.

Sagada officials and elders earlier made pronouncements both the NPA and government military forces should leave Sagada to spare it from clashes which endanger people’s lives.

To date, residents said government military and rebel forces have not left which made even tourists wary of going to the town knows for its attractions like caves, rice terraces , waterfalls, cozy lodging places and winding footland ways.