Soldier killed in clash with NPA troops
AN ELITE government trooper died following a firefight with communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Valencia City on Friday afternoon.
The fighting also led to the recovery of a cache of high-powered firearms left behind by the retreating insurgents, said Major Ezra Balagtey, spokesperson of the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command.
Balagtey said troops from the 1st Infantry Battalion were deployed to Sitio Kambangon in Barangay Lilingayon after getting information about rebels forcibly taking food and money from civilians in the area.
Around 2 p.m. Friday, Balagtey said the troops—backed up by police personnel—caught up with the insurgents, leading to a twohour firefight.
“The NPAs withdrew out of the engagement area after two hours of fierce gun battle, leaving one casualty on the government side,” said Balagtey. He withheld the name of the slain soldier, prior to notification of his kin.
During clearing operations, the troops recovered at the scene two AK47, two M653, and five M16 A1 rifles; an improvised explosive device; eight AK47, three M14, and one M16 magazines; a rifle grenade; five gallons of gas; three handheld radios, NPA personal belongings and rebel documents “of high intelligence value.”
Captain Joe Patrick Martinez, public affairs officer of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, said the rebels suffered casualties but could not give figures.
“Tracks of bloods were seen along NPA’s withdrawal route. Civilians also saw the NPAs dragging along their casualties,” Martinez said.
Major General Benjamin Madrigal Jr., commander of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, congratulated the troops for pushing the NPA extortionists away from the community.
“Unfortunately, while our troops are performing their duty, one of our soldiers has paid his ultimate sacrifice when he offered his own life just to free our people from NPA atrocities. To our brave soldier, your heroism will always be remembered by the people to whom you dedicated your life and service,” said Madrigal. (Sunnex)