3 army troopers slain in Kalinga NPA ambush

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BALBALAN, Kalinga – Three army troopers were killed while four others were injured when communist guerillas ambushed them at a bridge here in SitioBulo, Barangay Balantoy Tuesday around 6:10 p.m. 

KaTipon Gil Ayab, spokesperson of the New People’s Army’s LejoCawilan Command, said in a press statement soldiers of the 501st Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army were ambushed by an LCC unit who withdrew after the incident. Gil-ayab said no LCC member was killed or hurt during the 9-minute ambush, which he said, was done to “punish” government troopers for their abuses.

He did not name the casualties.

But in Tabuk City, reports received by Senior Supt. Victor Wanchakan, Kalinga police director, identified the fatalities only as Pfcs. Dayag, Abacan and Polar.

The victims were members of the Army’s 50th Infantry Battalion based in Langilang, Abra. 


Police said they have launched pursuit operations for the rebels.

According to Gil-Ayab, the military was given a lesson for “harassing and threatening residents who were against five Saltan Dam projects.”

Local folks have reportedly been opposing the dams in Balbalan and Pinukpuk towns saying it would threaten their livelihood and pollute the environment particularly their rivers.

Gil-Ayab said the ambush was also in support to residents’ clamor for the 501st IB to leave their tactical command post in Cadamayan, Poblacion, Balbalan due to their alleged abuses.

He added it was also punishment for the army for allegedly forcibly and illegally taking the Cal. 45 pistol of a certain SoteroBaliao in Kilayon, Balantoy, Balbalan on Jan. 14.

Among other abuses, Army troopers also reportedly forcibly took the pig of Albert Basitao of Kumyaas, Daoangan, Balbalan in his hut in Bongod, Baay.

Gil-ayab said the ambush should serve as a lesson to elements of the Army, Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Units and Cordillera People’s Liberation Army who militarized areas such as Balbalan and Pinukpok which resulted to residents living in terror.