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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.
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