SURPRISE ATTACK
Army overruns NPA lair; 1 soldier wounded

By Florence F. Hibionada and Ronilo L. Pamonag

Government forces launched yesterday (Thursday) a surprise attack in a made-up camp of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) in Tapaz, Capiz.

With over a hundred in Army soldiers mobilized for the operation, government troops easily gained advantage over the rebels reported to be about a group of twenty.
 
‘Regular’ NPA platoon-size though is within the 30- range with said area known to be under the NPA Eastern Front’s Waling-Waling Command.  Latest information gathered by The News Today (TNT) disclosed young recruits in the Tapaz NPA camps, mostly members of longtime communist-influenced families.
 
The government operation was conducted by the Philippine Army’s 47th Infantry Batallion (IB) led by Army Col. Mariano Antonio Perez as Commanding Officer.  His troops are trained fighters from Mindanao most of whom are of Visayan-descent.

In an interview over Bombo Radyo, said Army colonel voiced confidence of an over-all take over in the made-up camp located in a secluded portion of Barangay Tacayan.
 
The 47th IB began its offensive about 6 a.m. as NPA troops engaged in an active defense and returned fire.  Gun battle and exchange of fire reportedly lasted over thirty minutes.  Some two hours after the first round of attack, Col. Perez updated Bombo Radyo of the situation saying “we are under control.  Tingan natin kung hanggang saan ang sinasabi nilang puersa.  (Let us see how far they will go with their supposed strength).” 

The 47th IB had one casualty, Private First Class Renante Olanga of the Bravo Company. Olanga suffered a bullet wound in his left leg and was airlifted to Iloilo City around 11 a.m. for treatment at the government-run Western Visayas Medical Center.
Maj. Lyndon Sollesta based  in the Army's Civil Relations Service in Camp Delgado said Olanga upon arrival at the hospital was in “good condition” except for blood loss
Perez disclosed deploying key operational groups of the 47th IB, the entire platoon numbering about 500 soldiers for the ‘mopping-out’ operation. 

Already, two helicopter gunships have been in the area providing close air support for the military operation that has been ongoing for a month.

“This (encounter) is a good sign that we are finally catching up with them,” Sollesta said.

The army media liaison added that there are also possible casualties on the NPA side based on the bloodtrails found in the area.