75IB chief mourns fallen soldier

From the Philippine Information Agency (Feb 15): 75IB chief mourns fallen soldier

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur – Commanding officer Lt. Col. Haron Akaz of 75th Infantry Battalion, 402nd Brigade, Phil. Army based in Bislig City expressed his grief over the untimely and unxpected passing of one his soldiers who was killed in an encounter with New People’s Army (NPA) rebels around 11:30 p.m., Feb. 12 in Brgy. Sta. Fe, Tagbina, Surigao del Sur. An NPA rebel was also killed during the incident, it was learned.

”We are saddened that one of our brothers paid the ultimate sacrifice for protecting the locals of Tagbina town. Likewise, we are also saddened that another NPA was killed because of their futile struggle and wrong idealism,” said Akaz.

Pursuit operations have continued against the 10 fully armed NPA guerillas who fled after a five-minute firefight at the compound of Sumitomo Fruits Corp. (SUMIFRO) Farm in brgy. Sta. Fe. The government troops recovered one improvised explosive device (IED) with blasting cap and detonating chord and one caliber .45 pistol from the NPA. Extortion letters and some subversive documents were also discovered from the killed rebel.

The latest encounter between the government troops and NPA bandits in the said town was the result of the reports from the concerned civilians who reported to the 75th IB that the NPAs threatened to burn the equipment of SUMIFRO if they do not give extortion money to them.

“We condemn the NPA for their extortion activities. They should put an end to these kind terrorist activities especially that their victims are innocent hardworking farmers and lumads," he said.

“It is very evident that this terrorist group (NPA) does not abide by the Comprehensive Agreement in Respect to Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHIHL) for their continuous manufacture and use of IEDs," Akaz added.

Meanwhile, earlier on the same day another report received that the newly deployed troops under the 16th IB led by Lt. Col. Andres Ferrer while conducting security patrol at the vicinity of Mabahin-Matho Complex of Cortes town this province reportedly encountered an undetermined number of fully armed men. The said incident resulted to the recovery of an IED with one blasting cap while it is believed that several NPAs were wounded and killed after the government troops  discovered several blood stains from the NPAs’ position.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1741455500930/75ib-chief-mourns-fallen-soldier