Soldier killed, scores of insurgents wounded in Butuan encounter

BUTUAN CITY – An Army soldier was killed, while an undetermined number of New People’s Army (NPA) terrorists were believed wounded, when a gun battle erupted between government security forces and communist-terrorists in highland upper Sitio Patagon of Barangay Anticala, this city Monday afternoon.

Killed was Pfc. Roger D. Badajos of the 42nd Division Reconnaissance Company (42nd DRC) of 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division.

Initial report reaching the regional command and tactical operations center of Northeastern Mindanao Police Regional Office 13 based in Camp Colonel Rafael C. Rodriguez here from the Butuan City Police Office (BCPO) said the encounter occurred while a platoon from 42nd DRC and an operational control (OPCON) unit of 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade were conducting patrol in highland upper Patagon when they were engaged by an undetermined number of NPA terrorists at 12:15 p.m.

The encountered communist-terrorists were members of Squad 21SECOM 21 of guerilla-Front Committee 21-C of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee, the report said.

The initial encounter lasted more than five minutes, which was followed by a running gun battle as the NPAs fled towards the Patagon area.

The latest field report said that elements of 42nd DRC were still pursuing the fleeing NPA terrorists while following the bloodstains along their escape route.

Meanwhile, all line unit commanders, directors and town’s chief of police of PRO 13 were alerted and directed to conduct checkpoints, in coordination with the AFP counterparts, and to check hospitals and clinics where wounded terrorists could have been taken for treatment. (Mike U. Crismundo)