3 soldiers wounded in Occidental Mindoro clash with NPA rebels

From the Daily Tribune (Apr 27): 3 soldiers wounded in Occidental Mindoro clash with NPA rebels

Communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels are on a rampage, ambushing military troops in Occidental Mindoro province last Thursday, resulting in the wounding of three Army soldiers.

Col. Generoso Bolina, spokesman of the military’s Southern Luzon Command (Solcom), said that elements of the Army’s 76th Infantry Battalion (IB) were sent out to check on the reported extortion and harassment activities of fully-armed NPA rebels in Barangay Batasan, San Jose town.

However, upon approaching Sitio Lagnas in the said barangay at around 3:15 p.m., the Army troops were fired upon by the rebels.

Wounded were Pfc. Ariel Juagpao, Pfc. Merdilito Sagmayao and Pfc. Aldrin Jamiro.
“The wounded were air evacuated to V. Luna General Hospital,” said Bolina.

Bolina added that Solcom chief Maj. Gen. Caesar Ronnie Ordoyo vowed to relentlessly pursue the NPA rebels.

The ambush happened despite intensified combat operations against the NPA following series of high-profile atrocities staged in various parts of the country.

No less than President Aquino ordered the military and police to dismantle NPA roadblocks in the aftermath of the ambush against Gingoog City Mayor Ruthie Guingona, wife of former Vice President Teofisto Guingona, last Saturday.

However, as if taunting the Aquino administration, the NPA continued launching atrocities against police and military targets, particularly in some parts of Mindanao.
On Tuesday, NPA rebels attacked a police station and abducted an Army soldier in Compostela Valley province. The rebels blasted the Mabini Municipal Police Station and snatched Pfc. Tomas Jesus in Maco town.

In Davao del Sur, NPA rebels also attacked the headquarters of the Army’s 69th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Paquibato District, Davao City also on Tuesday or a day after the President issued his order to the military and the police.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/nation/item/13398-3-soldiers-wounded-in-occidental-mindoro-clash-with-npa-rebels