Soldier killed as Army overruns NPA camp
Members of the Philippine Army gave another blow to the New People’s Army (NPA) after overrunning one of the latter’s camp in Southern Iloilo yesterday morning.
But the victory is not apparently complete for elements of the 82nd Infantry Battalion’s Bravo Company as it also lost one of its soldiers in the 10-minute firefight at Brgy. Manampunay, Leon, Iloilo.
Lt. Col. George Joel Lalaquil, 82IB commanding officer, said that the identity of the fatality will be announced only after they have informed the soldier’s family.
During the clash, soldiers recovered an improvised explosive device (IED), a bag containing medical kit, an unexploded rifle grenade, ammunitions, magazines, a jungle pack, and personal effects at the rebels’ lair.
Lalaquil also noted heavy bloodstains on the withdrawal path of the rebels.
“So, we could not discount the possibility of casualties on their side,” he added.
Information claimed that at around 8:10 in the morning, 2 sections of 82IB’s Bravo Company led by Lt. Rico engaged in a heavy gun battle with some 20 NPA members.
The operation was an offshoot of a report from residents that the rebels are foraging in their locality.
“Binabalik-balikan daw sila ng mga rebelde para humingi ng pagkain. Napuno na ‘yung mga tao dun sa ginagawa nila kaya nagsumbong na sa amin,” Lalaquil said adding that they immediately acted on the information.
The 82IB commander said with certainty that the rebels are from the Southern Front Committee but “we are still gathering information who their leader was.”
Narrowing path
Since its inception in August 2009, the Leon incident is the 6th encounter the 82nd IB had. But it was the first in Leon town.
“After our deployment, we had encounters in Igbaras. Kumikitid na siguro ‘yung kanilang ginagalawan dun kaya lumipat sila sa ibang lugar,” Lalaquil opined.
Further, he is also on the lookout for more rebel movements since the New People’s Army’s 41st founding anniversary is already on December 26.
“Maybe, they are also planning for their anniversary like doing tactical offensives,” he added.
But this early, Lalaquil vowed that they are initiating efforts to bring the number of insurgents to an inconsequential level.
