ANGELES CITY, Philippines – Three soldiers were killed while five others were wounded in an ambush by New People’s Army (NPA) guerillas in Licuan-Baay in Abra province over the weekend.
In a report to the Armed Forces Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom), Capt. Eduard Sia, information officer of the 503rd infantry brigade, said that a firefight ensued after the ambush along the Abra-Kalinga Road in Brgy. Bunglo in Licuan-Baay, Abra, at about 5 a.m. last Saturday.
Sia said the ambushers were believed to be NPA rebels led by one Arnold Jaramillo.
After the ambush, the rebels fled and were pursued by government troopers who engaged them in firefights that lasted up to 8 a.m., he added.
Lt. Col. Noel Baluyan, meanwhile, said his troops were conducting regular patrols in the area as part of “pre-emptive security operations” for a peaceful celebration of All Saints’ Day and were checking reports of extortion by NPA rebels in Licuan-Baay where the Abra-Kalinga Road was being concreted.
“The operation was also in accordance with the order of Col. Danny Pabunan, Commander of 503rd brigade, to exhaust all resources to ensure that government projects are protected so as to meet their target dates of completion and to attain peace and development especially in the hinterlands of Abra,” Sia said.
The fatalities were identified as PFC Phillip Balonggay Jr., PFC Anofre T Doca, and PFC Joel S Suria, while those wounded were Cpl. William Gonzales, PFC Ronald Siazon, PFC Eulogio I Mangano, PFC Joey M Balmes, and Pvt. Celso P Kelang.
The wounded soldiers were rushed to the Abra Provincial Hospital and eventually transported at AFP Medical Center in Quezon City yesterday. - By Ding Cervantes
