Philippine Air Force airlifts wounded Army trooper in Northern Samar

From Philippine Defense News (Mar 25, 2022): Philippine Air Force airlifts wounded Army trooper in Northern Samar (By: Ryan Warren)

One soldier wounded-in-action (WIA) was airlifted by Philippine Air Force’ Black Hawk Helicopter at around 3PM, March 22, 2022 from Brgy Nagoocan, Catubig, Northern Samar to Catarman, Northern Samar.

The soldier was wounded after members of Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs) deliberately attacked government troops on Community Support Program operation in the said Barangay at around 10AM earlier that day.

“The WIA is PFC Gilbert I Gabin whom was hit on his right leg and was evacuated by Black Hawk helicopter. He was immediately transported to Northern Samar Provincial Hospital for appropriate medical intervention,” said Second Lieutenant Escobio, 20IB spokesperson.

“Brgy. Nagoocan is one of the six barangays that is 2021 recipient of ₱20 million Support to Barangay Development Program (SBDP). This is courtesy to our soldiers that worked hard to clear the barangay from NPA influence. However, NPAs returned in attempt to recover their lost mass base. This is one of the reasons why we redeployed soldiers to also ensure that the project implementation of SBDP will push through and not be put into waste. We cannot allow the people of Nagoocan to be deprived of government services because of NPA’s deceptive propaganda and blank promises,” Escobio added.

The CPP-NPA-NDF have once again made a serious violation of International Humanitarian Law in the Municipality of Catubig. It can be recalled that on February 8, 2022, the CNTs indiscriminately fired their weapons resulting to the death of two civilians and wounding of another at Brgy Roxas, Catubig. Likewise, on March 5, 2022, Sgt Amado was wounded after the deliberate attack of the CNTs to the CSP team despite the presence of civilians at Brgy. CM Recto, Catubig.

“Mariin naming kinokondena ang walang pakundangang pag-atake ng mga teroristang NPA sa CSP team sa aming barangay sa kabila ng presensya ng mga sibilyan. Ang CSP team na ito ang naging katuwang namin sa pag-abot sa aming hangarin na magkaroon ng mapayapang komunidad at maunlad na pamumuhay,” said Hon. Fe M. Baldoza, Barangay Captain of Brgy. Nagoocan, Catubig, Northern Samar.

“Masaya na kami sa atensyon na ibinibigay ng gobyerno sa amin pero bakit di kami tinatantanan ng mga teroristang NPA. Ang patuloy na paghahasik ng kaharasan ng mga NPA sa aming lugar ay pagpapatunay lamang ng kanilang paglapastangan sa Karapatang Pantao at International Humanitarian Law,” Baldoza added.

https://defense.ph/2022/03/25/air-force-airlifts-wounded-army-trooper-in-northern-samar/