9 killed, 18 others injured in Calinog ambush
The ambush site in Brgy. Mambiranan,
Calinog, Iloilo showing the hole caused
by the explosion of the land mine and the
wrecked truck that carried the army
troops. A.Chris Fernandez
Calinog, Iloilo -- Nine soldiers belonging to the 47th Infantry Batallion and the First Scout Ranger Batallion of the 3rd Infantry Division Philippine Army were killed in an ambush staged by the New People's Army in Brgy. Catagan, Calinog, Iloilo early evening of November 19, 2005.
The soldiers were on board a convoy of two trucks about to return to their camp after patrol operations when a land mine exploded.
The nine fatalities were identified as Army Sergeants Rodilo Pacia, Ronel Panes, Paterno Villorente, Alexander Luis, Mediades Montemayor; PFCs Rosebert Nool, James Bryan Angeles, Dives Villamor; and Corporal Marlon Petallo.
Army Major Lyndon Sollesta, 3rd ID public information officer, said the NPA rebels immediately opened fire after the mine explosion.
Eighteen others were injured in the firefight that lasted about an hour.
The rebels retreated after reinforcements from the 3rd ID headquarters in Jamindan, Capiz came.
There was no reported casualty on the part of the NPA rebels while the injured soldiers are now being treated in Iloilo City.
Sollesta believed the perpetrators belong to the NPA's Jose Percival Estocada command which operates in the central part of Panay.
Task Force Panay commander Col. Gregorio Fajardo assailed the NPA attacks saying they are just out to make their presence felt because they feel that they are already losing the support of the people.
Fajardo vowed to intensify operations against insurgents in the area.