Army hot on trail of rebels in Leon clash
Elements of the Philippine Army’s 82nd Infantry Battalion (82IB) based in Miag-ao, Iloilo are still on ongoing operations against New People’s Army members in Southern Iloilo.
Lt. Col. George Joel Lalaquil, 82IB commanding officer, said that they hot on the trails of the rebels belonging to the group of Nahum Camariosa alias Bebong.
Camariosa is believed to the leader of the NPA rebels during the encounter with 82IB’s Bravo Company last Thursday at Brgy. Manampunay, Leon town.
The encounter claimed the life of Private First Class Leonardo Cariño, the company’s radio operator.
It was gathered that Cariño’s family arrived in Iloilo City from Isulan, Sultan Kudarat last Friday.
Information claimed that the 25-year old slain soldier was supposed to get married this month.
Cariño’s remains are now at Porras Funeral Homes in Iloilo City.
“There was a delay in bringing his remains because his family needs to process some documents for the financial benefits,” Lalaquil explained.
To note, 82IB operatives overran a temporary NPA camp in Leon town at around 8:10 a.m. Thursday last week.
Recovered at the encounter site were a combat pack with personal belongings, an empty short magazine, a medical kit, an improvised landmine detonator, and explosive powder.
Lalaquil also noted heavy bloodstains on the withdrawal path of rebels.
“So, we could not discount the possibility of casualties on their side,” he added.
Bravo Company led by Lt. Rico engaged some 20 members in a 10-minute firefight.
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 ginagaw nila kaya nagsumbong na sa amin,” Lalaquil said adding that they immediately acted on the information.
Narrowing path
Since its inception in May 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 movement 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.
