NPA ambush in Quezon kills Army lieutenant, 1 more soldier

From InterAksyon (Mar 24): NPA ambush in Quezon kills Army lieutenant, 1 more soldier

An Army first lieutenant was among the two fatalities in an ambush by the New People’s Army (NPA) on Monday morning in Barangay Cogorin Ilaya, Lopez, Quezon, a general said.

Four other soldiers—all members of the 85th Infantry Battalion—were wounded when the communist rebels attacked them around 7:30 a.m. as the soldiers rode by in their KM450 military truck, said Brigadier General Alex Capina, commander of the 201st Infantry Brigade. “First lieutenant, I can’t disclose for now his name, including the other fatality and as well as the wounded personnel,” Capina replied when asked about the fatality’s identity.

Meanwhile, Capina dismissed reports that the ambush could be the start of expected retaliatory attacks by the NPA for the capture of top leaders in the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army. Benito and Wilma Tiamzon, alleged chairman and secretary general, respectively, along with 5 others, were arrested in Cebu Saturday, and are currently detained at the Custodial Center of the Philippine National Police (PNP) at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

The CPP-NPA traditionally launches tactical offensives against government forces weeks before its founding anniversary, celebrated every 29th of March. Capina acknowledged the ambush could be part of this tradition, or also because the 85th IB had been waging an operation in that area.

“Siyempre malapit na kasing anniversary nila e. Pero meron din kaming operations na kina-conduct, specifically ‘yung battalion na ‘yun (85th IB),” Capina said.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/83375/npa-ambush-in-quezon-kills-army-lieutenant-1-more-soldier