Soldiers wounded in clash with NPA

From the Business Mirror (Jul 15): Soldiers wounded in clash with NPA

TWO soldiers were wounded on Saturday in two separate firefights with suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Abra and Mountain Province, the military said in belated reports.

The clashes happened as the military intensified its campaign against the NPA, especially in Northern Luzon, according to Armed Forces of the Philippines Northern Luzon Command Spokesman Lt. Col. Isagani Nato.

Nato said that the first clash with rebels occurred at around 8:40 a.m. on Saturday at Sitio Dandanac, Barangay Tamboan, Besao, Mountain Province.

During the firefight with about 14 members of the NPA’s Kilusang Larangang Gerilya Ampis led by Commander Digbay, a soldier was wounded in the right arm and at the back, near his pelvic area.

Nato did not identify the soldier, who is a member of the 81st Infantry Battalion. He said the engaged soldiers believed the rebels also incurred casualties.

In another encounter, elements of the 24th Infantry Battalion clashed with at least 10 rebels at around 3:10 p.m., also on Saturday at Barangay Ud-udiao, Sallapadan, Abra.

The rebels are members of the Kilusang Larangang Gerilya North Abra, Nato said.

During the firefight, which lasted for 20 minutes, a soldier was also wounded in the right leg.

The encounter happened following the discovery by the 24th IB of an abandoned temporary rebel encampment in the mountainous area of Barangay Danac, West Boliney, Abra, at around 8 a.m.

The discovery of the camp prompted the soldiers to track down the rebels until they caught up with them in Sallapan.

Nato said the encampment can accommodate more or less 18 rebels.

The soldiers found remains of food stuff, a roll of wire, bamboo beds and bamboo chairs.

“Through focus military operations [FMO] and the support of the community, Nolcom troops will be relentless in pursuing the communist NPA terrorists to prevent the latter from threatening the people and conducting hostile activities, which will eventually contribute in bringing peace, stability and development in the area,” said Nato.

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