Friday, September 27, 2013

Trooper killed in Compostela Valley clash

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 27): Trooper killed in Compostela Valley clash

A trooper from the 10th Infantry Division's 72nd Infantry Battalion was killed following a clash with 10 New People's Army (NPA) rebels in Sitio Tanawan, Barangay Malinawon, Mawab town, Compostela Valley Friday morning.

Capt. Raul Villegas, 10th Infantry Division spokesperson, said the incident took place around 8: 10 a.m.

He added that their troopers were on routine security patrol when they encountered the rebels.

A 20-minute firefight broke out which resulted in the death of one soldier.

The rebels quickly fled after taking an undetermined number of casualties.

72nd Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Col. Alexis Noel L. Bravo said that he sent troops in the area following the request of the residents to protect them from threat and intimidation of NPAs conducting extortion missions in the area.

“We preempted the entry of NPAs in that barangay. If not on the timely arrival of our troops, the community may have been attacked by the NPAs," he added.

Meanwhile, Eastern Mindanao Command commander Lt. Gen. Ricardo Rainier G. Cruz III directed unit commanders to be vigilant in their peace outreach programs in the area.

“While we protect our people in the communities from NPAs illegal activities, we must also ensure the safety of our men deployed in the areas of concern," he added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=570502

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