4th Marine Battalion commanding officer's convoy in Palawan ambushed

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 26): 4th Marine Battalion commanding officer's convoy in Palawan ambushed

Suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA) in northern Palawan ambushed the commanding officer and his two-vehicle convoy in Barangay Alimanguan, San Vicente around 10 a.m. Monday.

Colonel Vince Blanco was unhurt but a Marine soldier who was with him was slightly injured.

Brig.Gen. Andrei Costales, commanding officer of the 3rd Marine Brigade stationed in the province, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that Col. Blanco and his two-vehicle convoy were on their way to Puerto Princesa to attend a planning conference with him when the ambush was staged in Alimanguan.

Alimanguan over the years has gained the reputation of as an ambush area along the northern national highway.

"Initial report says Col. Blanco, the commanding officer of the 4th MBLT, was not hurt in the ambush. He is now leading our team in the area," Costales said, adding more Marine troops have already been sent.

Costales said he has also coordinated with the Provincial Police Office under Sr. Supt. Atanacio Macalan Jr. to control the flow of traffic in the area to avoid "collateral damage" in case public or private vehicles will pass.

Western Command commander Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, on the other hand, has asked all military troops in northern Palawan to standby pending the result of the hot pursuit operation.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=558688