Army mourns death of soldier in Masbate clash

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 21, 2023): Army mourns death of soldier in Masbate clash (By Connie Calipay)

SLAIN SOLDIER. Cpl. Antonio Parreño Jr., the soldier killed during a clash with rebels on Monday (March 20, 2023) in Cawayan town, Masbate province. The gun battle occurred after soldiers responded to a report by villagers about an armed group in the area. (Photo courtesy of 9ID)

LEGAZPI CITY – The Philippine Army (PA) is mourning the death of a soldier who was killed in a clash on Monday with New People's Army (NPA) rebels in Barangay Villahermosa, Cawayan town in Masbate province.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Maj. Gen. Adonis Bajao, commander of the 9th Infantry Division (9ID) and Joint Task Force Bicolandia (JTFB), extended his condolences to the bereaved family of Cpl. Antonio Parreño Jr. while assuring justice for his death.

"Ako po, sampu ng buong pwersa 9ID ay taos pusong nakikiramay sa naulilang pamilya ni Cpl. Parreño. Alam ko po na hindi madaling tanggapin ang nangyari, ngunit tinitiyak po ng JTFB na hindi masasayang ang pagbubuwis niya ng kanyang buhay. Dahil dito, magtutuloy-tuloy po ang operasyon ng ating mga tropa upang supilin ang CTG (communist terrorist group) lalo na dito sa Bicolandia (I, together with the entire force of 9ID, sincerely sympathize with the bereaved family of Cpl. Parreño, I know that it is not easy to accept what happened but the JTFB assures that his sacrifice will not be wasted. Because of this, the operation of our troops will continue to suppress the CTG especially here in Bicolandia)," Bajao said.

In a report, Capt. Frank Roldan, 9th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office (DPAO) chief, said the 2nd Infantry Battalion (2IB) troops received information from villagers on the presence of armed men in their area.

"The 2IB troops launched an operation in the said area where they encountered 12 members of the CTG which lasted for five minutes and killed Cpl. Antonio Parreño Jr. Also, blood stains were seen in the direction of the fleeing groups," Roldan said.

The Army official said several weapons were seized by the soldiers at the scene of the encounter, including "an R4 assault rifle, an improvised pellet gun, three cellphones, two anti-personnel mines, a pair of binoculars, two improvised explosive devices, four blasting caps, wires and other personal equipment of terrorists."

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1197818