NPAs execute soldier in Sorsogon

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Camarines Sur/CAMP SIMEON OLA, Legazpi City — Some 50 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels flagged down a tricycle in Barangay San Antonio, Barcelona, Sorsogon, yesterday morning and gunned down one of two soldiers on board.

Colonel Cesar Idio, commander of the Philippine Army’s 903rd Infantry Brigade which covers Sorsogon, said the guerrillas flagged down the tricycle carrying the two soldiers from the 9th Infantry Battalion (9IB) at 7:45 a.m.

Chief Superintendent Victor Deona, Police Regional Office 5 (PRO5) director, said Corporal Zaldy B. Bengua, married and assigned to the 9IB’s Peace and Development Team in Sorsogon, was shot at close range as soon as he got out of the tricycle.

Deona said Bengua and Private First- Class Rommel Pagaduan were on their way to send money to their respective families when their tricycle, driven by one Erwin S. Talha, 34, when the incident happened.

Inspector Malu Calubaquib, PRO5 spokesperson, said the tricycle sped off with PFC Pagaduan on board and reported the incident to the Barcelona Police Station.

It was unclear whether or not Bengua was a specific target of the rebels and if PFC Pagaduan was not recognized by the rebels as a soldier.

“This incident while isolated will further intensify the effort of the 903rd Brigade to continue its aggressive conduct of Bayanihan Team Operation and Focused Military Operation in the affected areas to win the peace and prosperity in the Brigade’s Area of Responsibility covering Sorsogon and Masbate provinces,” Idio told the Manila Bulletin.

He said army soldiers are now after gunmen who killed Bengua.