By Freddie
Lazaro
SALCEDO, Ilocos Sur – Government forces are now pursuing
New People’s Army guerillas they figured in a recent clash wherein a female
rebel was killed while several comrades were wounded in Barangay Siroan,
Salcedo, Ilocos Sur. Lt. Col Eugenio Julio C. Osias IV, commander of the
Philippine Army’s 81st Infantry Battalion based in Sta. Cruz, Ilocos Sur,
Monday said his troops are in pursuit of the rebels, who retreated aboard
a four-wheeled vehicle after the encounter.
Five soldiers were
wounded and last listed in stable condition.
They were identified
as 2nd Lieutenant Jade Lyzterdan P. Gavino, Corporal Robertson Caalim,
Private First Class (PFCs) Jayson B. Aboc, John Joshua M. Toledo and Jefree L.
Alferez.
“Our troops had an
encounter with more or less 12 NPA rebels at the vicinity of Barangay Sorioan
which resulted in a 30-minute gunfight. The encounter led to the recovery of 20
rounds of M14 ammunitions, improvised explosive device (IED), cleaning
gears, documents and other personal necessities,” Osias said.
He said the 81st IB
conducted intensive military operations in response to information provided by
the local community, which reported that NPA rebels, who were members of Platun
South Ilocos Sur (Platun SIS) were planning to stage attacks.
He said the rebels
were planning to set up an explosive device in the populated area in
synchronization with the rally which was set in time for President Duterte’s
second state of the nation address.
“The collective
efforts of the soldiers on the ground and the cooperation of
the local residents are what we need to finally attain peace for the people of
Ilocos Sur,” said Col. Henry A. Robinson Jr., the commander of the army’s 702nd
brigade.
Senior Supt. Jovencio
Badua, Ilocos Sur Police Provincial Office director who rushed to the battle
site, said heavily-armed guerrillas ambushed the troopers from the army’s 81st
Infantry Battalion at 10:15 a.m. on July 2.
The squad of 10 army
soldiers led by 2nd Lt. Gavino came under heavy fire that resulted to wounding
of the five troopers, but they returned fire and also inflicted casualties on
the rebel side, said Badua who quoted civilian witnesses.
A running gun battle
ensued, prompting Lt. Col. Osias, commanding officer of the 81 IB to send
additional forces to Barangay Sorioan.
The encounter in
Ilocos Sur comes two days after high-ranking officials of the Armed Forces of
the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Region 1
declared the neighboring province La Union as insurgency-free.
Major General Angelito
M. De Leon, the commander of the army’s 7th Infantry Division based in the
Ilocos Region, reaffirmed the status of La Union as insurgency-free during the
2nd quarter meeting of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) in Diego
Silang in San Fernando City, La Union.
A couple of days
before that in Abra, eight NPA guerrillas belonging to the Sangay Organization
under the Militia ng Bayan surrendered to the Abra PPO and the army’s 24th
Infantry Battalion.
Chief Supt. Elmo
Sarona, regional director of the Cordillera police, said the surrenderees
pledged to support plans and programs of the government as they laid down their
arms.
Likewise, a rebel
known as “Ka Belly Joy” and Ka Bibeth” surrendered to the army’s 17th Infantry
Battalion based in Masin, Alcala, Cagayan.
Lt. Col. Camilo A.
Saddam said he hopes more guerrillas will find it in their hearts to return to
the fold of the law and enjoy the benefits and privileges of being a citizen
under the duly-elected government. -- With reports from Freddie G. Lazaro and
Liezle Basa Iñigo
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