2 soldiers killed, 19 ‘reds’ caught

From the Visayan Daily Star (Dec 14): 2 soldiers killed, 19 ‘reds’ caught

Two Army soldiers were killed, and four others injured when government troopers overran a suspected New People’s Army camp yesterday in Sitio Mahopaho, Brgy. San Agustin, Isabela, Negros Occidental. Col. Oscar Patrimonio, 302nd Infantry Brigade commander, yesterday said 19 suspected rebels were also arrested at the encounter site, which is an isolated area with no houses. Patrimonio said the overran camp could accommodate about 50 persons.

Troopers of the 11th Infantry Battalion Alpha Company led by 1Lt. Von Ryan Gomez were on security operations when they figured in an encounter with about 30 to 40 armed NPA rebels, which led to a running gunbattle that lasted for several hours. Two soldiers were killed and four others, including an Army junior officer, were injured in the gunbattle. However, their identities have been withheld, pending notification of their families.

As Army soldiers pressed their attack, Patrimonio said the fleeing rebels hastily abandoned their positions and camp, leaving behind eight combat packs, containing a .45 caliber pistol with two magazines of ammunition, ammunition and magazines for M-14 and M-16 assault rifles, personal belongings, subversive documents and tarpaulins. Two rebels were also reported killed, while an undetermined member was injured during the initial gunbattle. However, they were carried away by their fleeing comrades, he added.

Patrimonio said the 15 suspected rebels,who were found at the encounter site, could be held liable for murder and frustrated murder, for the death of the two soldiers and the injuries of four others. He added that the 19 suspected rebels have already been turned over to the Isabela Police Station for further investigation.Inspector Jason Manguilimutan, Isabela police chief, said last night that the 19 arrested individuals turned over to them by the Philippine Army will be temporarily placed under police custody.

Patrimonio said the armed rebels encountered by the 11IB soldiers came from the hinterlands of Guihulngan, who had transferred their guerilla base camp to Isabela, because of pressure exerted on them by government troopers in Negros Oriental. Patrimonio also said they have maximized their security operations, in response to harassments on two military outposts Isabela and Moises Padilla, and threats to attack Linantuyan detachment and Bayanihan teams. Capt. Ariel Quirog, 11IB Civil Military Operations officer, yesterday said the encounter and seizure of the rebel camp was an offshoot of information relayed to the 11IB by residents in the area.

Rep. Alejandro Mirasol (5th district, Negros Occ) yesterday said “It is sad and unfortunate that the encounter between our soldiers and the insurgents happened when we are celebrating the yuletide season”. Isabela town is part of the 5th district of Negros Occidental. Mirasol said he is appealing to all parties to re-think their position and instead do positive acts to help the countryside attain prosperity and development. Senior Supt. Milko Lirazan, officer-in-charge of the Negros Occidental, said yesterday that he has placed all police stations in the province, on alert in the wake of a rebel attack on the Roxas Police Station in Palawan on Wednesday.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2012/December/14/topstory1.htm