Army soldier killed, 6 others wounded in fresh NPA ambush in Northern Luzon

From InterAksyon (May 5): Army soldier killed, 6 others wounded in fresh NPA ambush in Northern Luzon

CAMP PRESIDENT QUIRINO, Ilocos Sur -- A government trooper was killed and six others were wounded in a fresh ambush staged by suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Abra last Friday, said a belated report of the Philippine Army reaching here.

The ambush came a day after another NPA ambush where three soldiers were killed and another wounded in Barangay Remedios, Cervantes, Ilocos Sur.

Senior Superintendent Nestor Felix, Ilocos Sur police director, clarified that the latest ambush did not happen in Quirino town of Ilocos Sur as earlier reported but rather in Mount Kingking, Barangay Dilong, Tubo, Abra.

The lone fatality was identified as Private First Class (Pfc) Miguel Lumadi, a member of the Army’s 50th Infantry Battalion and a resident of Cabagan, Isabela.

His companions who were wounded were Corporal Pedrico Miguel; Pfcs. Harold Morareng, Allan Jay Lumas-e, Crisologo Tullao, Hector Salon, and Esmael Orenia.

Lieutenant Colonel Richard Sibayan, commander of the Army’s 50th Infantry Battalion, said the incident happened at about 4 a.m. last Friday.

“Our troops belonging to the Peace and Development Teams of the Army’s 50th Infantry Battalion were on board a KM450 truck while on their way back to their base after attending a meeting with local officials in Abra the day before,” Sibayan said.

He said the soldiers assisted some personnel of other government agencies to coordinate with the local government officials in Abra for the improvement of the Quirino-Bolingon road projects and the repair of the bridge along that road.

“When an undetermined number of NPA remnants fired upon the soldiers who were aboard the KM450 truck, the soldiers returned fire and firefight ensued which lasted until 6 a.m.,” Sibayan narrated.

Reinforcement troops and medical teams proceeded immediately to the place to provide assistance to the soldiers.

The lone fatality soldier and the six wounded troopers were immediately transported to the nearest hospital in Quirino town for medical treatment.
Hot pursuit operations are now being conducted by army soldiers.

Sibayan believed that the NPA remnants also suffered an undetermined number of casualties. He said bloodstains and recovered belongings were found along their escape route.

“This unfortunate incident only shows that the NPAs in the area are out there to impede the local government’s vision of further development for the benefit and the common good of the populace not only in the towns of Cervantes and Quirino but also in the whole province of Ilocos Sur and other surrounding areas,” he added.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/86078/army-soldier-killed-6-others-wounded-in-fresh-npa-ambush-in-northern-luzon