Soldier wounded in encounter with NPA

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 15, 2019): Soldier wounded in encounter with NPA

A member of the Philippine Army’s (PA) 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB) was wounded in an encounter with the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay Cabatangan, Lambunao town, Iloilo province at about 5:50 a.m. Monday.

Cpl. Aldrin S. Cablas sustained an injury on his left leg and is currently recovering in a hospital in Calinog town, 61IB commander, Lt. Col. Sisenando Magbalot, said in a phone interview.

He narrated that the troops received information that a group of rebels were on their way to the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) detachment.

“They conducted a combat patrol and encountered the enemies,” he said, adding that it was “really their intention to harass the troops.”

The exchange of gunfire occurred some 400 meters away from the detachment and lasted about 30 minutes.

The more or less 20 rebels are believed to be members of the Baloy Platoon, Central Front led by a certain Carl Teodosio.

Magbalot said on Sunday that government troops also had an exchange of gunfire with an undetermined number of rebels in Barangay Dalije, Miagao.

The battalion commander said the spate of encounters with the communist group is a manifestation that government soldiers are working continuously.

“The information that is provided to us is accurate. Our continuous awareness (campaign) bears fruit and they (community) are giving us information,” he added.

Magbalot noted that the rebel group is “getting weaker every day,” as the continuous operation of government troops is putting pressure on the rebels, prompting them to move from one place to another.

“By this time, we know that they are not on extortion because their focus is on combat (operations),” he added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1058863