Soldier hurt in NPA attack in Butuan City

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 22): Soldier hurt in NPA attack in Butuan City

A soldier was hurt in a night attack staged by an armed group believed to be members of the communist guerrillas against a patrol base located at a remote barangay of Butuan City over the weekend.

Reports from Butuan City Police Office said that the Civilian Active Auxiliary-Armed Forces of the Philippines Patrol base located in Sitio Mahayahay, Brgy. Anticala, Butuan City, led by Pfc. Reynaldo R. Tuba, was attacked by an undetermined number of armed men believed belonging to Front Committee 21 led by a certain "Ka Marsing" 10:38 p.m. on Saturday.

After a minute of firefight, the attackers fled to some unknown direction. Pfc Tuba, of the Charlie Company 29 IB PA, the detachment cadre was hit on both thighs and was brought to the nearest hospital for medical treatment. He is declared out of danger.

Another patrol base was also attacked Friday by armed men believed to be NPA guerrillas in Sibagat town, Agusan del Sur. The patrol base under the 23rd IB, Delta Company, PA of Brgy. Banagbanag, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur was also attacked by about 60 armed men believed to be NPA guerillas early morning on Friday. The attackers were reportedly under the Dahunog Group led by a certain a.k.a. "Do Striker" of the Norteastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) and Guerilla Front 21B led by Arcencio Mandag a.k.a. Marsing/Datu Tumutuwas (true name is ).

A militia man identified as CAA Elan Vinculado was reportedly killed in action and CAA Edwin Cempron sustained gunshot wound on his left wrist and was evacuated to Cesh Annex at Brgy. Bancasi, Butuan City. The ensuing firefight lasted for about seven hours after which the attackers withdrew toward the northwest direction.

Reinforcing troopers from the two sections of the 12th Scout Ranger Company (SRC) led by Capt. Estabaya (Inf) PA; the commanding officer came at about mid-noon, on board a Huey helicopter. They were backed up by two MG-250 attack helicopters coming from the Tactical Operation Group (TOG) 10, which provided the close air support for the engaged troopers. The said troopers were responsible for the clearing operations and the scouring of the area as well as the pursuit operations.

Recovered from the encounter site were: three hand grenades, a magazine of AK 47 loaded with 30 round of ammunition; eight landmines; 15 meters firing wire; thirty Molotov bombs; five liters of gasoline; a bolt tester; 900 spent shells of 5.56 mm; 500 spent shells of 7.62 mm; 600 spent shells of M1 Garand Caliber 30; 225 spent shells of M1 Carbine Caliber 30; 3 M14 magazines; 11 clips Garrand and five Carbine magazines.

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