Abra soldiers escorting visitors waylaid; 1 dead

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — A government trooper was killed while another was hurt when suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels waylaid them while escorting visitors in a remote Abra town.

The Abra police identified the fatality as Pfc. Ryan Abad and the wounded as S/Sgt. Pedro Madriaga who, along with other soldiers, were taken by surprise when they were attacked in Sitio Tapayen in Barangay Alaoa, Tineg town.

In June last year, rebels torched a municipal facility in Sitio Tapayen which they believed was illegally appropriated by then Tineg mayor Clarence Benwaren and being used by the military as an advance command and communications post.

Benwaren was gunned down by suspected NPA hit men in Laguna several months after the arson attack.

Lt. Col. Eduardo Gonzaga, commanding officer of the Army’s 17th Infantry Battalion based in Langangilang town, has ordered his men to pursue the rebel-attackers.

Last May 16, Gonzaga himself, along with three other military officers, survived an ambuscade by suspected guerrillas while returning to their camp in Langangilang. Three soldiers were wounded in the attack.

Lt. Col. Preme Monta, spokesman of the Armed Forces’ Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom), earlier had belittled the capabilities of rebels in Northern Luzon to stage major attacks.

Monta said yesterday Nolcom units continue to be ready against NPA attacks, especially in areas prone to such assaults.

"As of now, there’s still no need for heightened alert because all our combat troops are always ready like Boy Scouts," he said.

The latest NPA attack in the region was the burning of a Baliwag Transit bus in Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija Tuesday night.

NPA spokesman Gregorio Rosal has warned of more tactical offensives against government forces unless the government resumes talks with the communist movement.

In recent weeks, the NPA has stepped up attacks elsewhere in the country, killing 29 soldiers and militiamen in Eastern Samar and Compostela Valley.

Last Wednesday, elements of the Army’s 80th Infantry Battalion overran an NPA camp in General Nakar, Quezon, the military said.

Also that day, patrolling members of the 31st Infantry Battalion clashed with rebels in Sipocot, Camarines Norte, leaving one soldier wounded. — With James Mananghaya, Mike Frialde and Benjie Villa