Army pays tribute to soldier slain in NegOcc clash

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 11, 2021): Army pays tribute to soldier slain in NegOcc clash (By Nanette Guadalquiver)  

Image courtesy of 3rd Infantry Division, Philippine Army

The Philippine Army paid tribute to the heroism of Cpl. Rodney Luces, who was killed in a clash with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) terrorists in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on Wednesday.

“We highly salute and give honor to Corporal Luces,” Maj. Cenon Pancito III, public affairs chief of the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), said in a statement on Thursday.

Luces, a native of Alimodian, Iloilo, was among the troops of the 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB) who engaged nine communist-terrorists during the first of two encounters in Purok Galaupan, Barangay Carabalan at around 9:20 a.m. on Wednesday.

Another soldier, who was wounded, is being treated in a hospital in this city.

In a Facebook post, the 303rd Infantry Brigade headed by Col. Inocencio Pasaporte based in Murcia, Negros Occidental also honored the bravery and heroism of Luces.

“He paid the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of genuine peace and development for the people of Negros and our nation as well,” it added.

The 303rd IBde, which supervises the 62IB with headquarters in Barangay Libas, Isabela town, also expressed its deepest sympathy to the family of the slain soldier.

Meanwhile, during the second clash at past 10 a.m., a CPP-NPA fighter was also killed, according to the military report.

Troops recovered seven backpacks containing personal items at the encounter site.

Pancito said the casualty on the government side will not weaken the resolve of the soldiers.

“We will draw inspiration from our fallen comrade. We will be more aggressive in our fight against insurgency. The more that we will fight for the people especially that one of us sacrificed his own life to fight for peace and development in Negros Island,” he added.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1143279