LEGAZPI CITY – Three soldiers and a rebel were killed and scores more were wounded when New People’s Army (NPA) rebels ambushed government troopers who were responding to the report of a torched Globe cell site in Barangay Lahong, Baleno, Masbate the other day.
Col. Eleazar Bron, Bicol police spokesman, identified the fatalities merely as Private First Class (PFCs) Matucad, Gabata and Papa.
At least three more soldiers were wounded.
Meanwhile, according to a press statement released by the Jose-Rapsing Command, the rebel group operating in Masbate province, four soldiers and a rebel were killed during the three-hour encounter.
They claimed that they seized at least two M16 and an M14 rifles.
Major Ronald Rosario, head of the Civil Relations Service of the Armed Forces in Southern Luzon (Solcom) , said the rebels arrived at the Globe relay station in Barangay Lahong at around 5:20 a.m. on Saturday.
They immediately disarmed the lone guard on duty, Mazimo Bajar, then torched the generator set, which damaged the monopole tower and cut off service in the area.
Upon learning of the attack, elements of the 9th Infantry Battalion immediately sent two teams to check on the report on the damage to the Globe relay tower, triggering the firefight with some 60 heavily armed guerrillas. Baleno is about 45 kilometers from Masbate City.
After the attacks, Southern Luzon commander Gen. Alexander Yano ordered the military to intensify counterinsurgency operations. – AP