NPAs waylay troops giving free rides in Albay transport strike

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – Three soldiers were wounded yesterday after communist rebels ambushed Army troops who were providing free rides to stranded passengers in Guinobatan, Albay.

Maj. Angelo Guzman, spokesman of the Army’s 9th Infantry Division, said the Army truck providing free rides was waylaid by about 20 rebels along the national highway in Barangay Morera, Guinobatan town.

Guzman said the truck’s security personnel managed to fire back at the insurgents, prompting the attackers to withdraw. 

Wounded during the encounter were Pfcs. Rolly Intan, Jade Desamparado and Sherwin Arnejo. There were no reported casualties on the side of the rebels and among civilians.

The wounded soldiers were brought to the nearest hospital for treatment.

The ambushed military truck was bound for the 2nd Infantry Battalion headquarters in Ligao City, Albay. It provided free transportation for civilians who were affected by a transport strike.  

“Despite Libreng Sakay (free ride) streamers placed on the sides of the truck, NPA (New People’s Army) rebels still have the (guts) to do such an attack. We condemn these as a terrorist act not acceptable to a democratic and civilized community,” Guzman said.

Col. Generoso Bolina, spokesman of the Armed Forces’ Southern Luzon Command, said pursuit operations are now being conducted against those behind the ambush.

Guzman said they would continue to provide free rides to commuters affected by the transport strike despite the incident.

Vinze Casilihan, head of Karapatan-Bicol, denied any links between the ambush and the Bicol-wide transport strike.

He, however, said that using Army vehicles to ferry commuters is a “kind disrespect for the transport strike based on issues such as the demand for the repeal of the oil deregulation law, the 12 percent value-added tax on petroleum products, and the inability of the government to regulate the prices of petroleum products.”

George San Mateo, secretary-general of PISTON, said in a radio interview here that 90 percent of the transportation in Bicol was paralyzed.

Mateo said transportation in Albay was paralyzed 95 percent; Sorsogon, 100 percent; Camarines Norte, 80 percent; Masbate, 90 percent; and Camarines Sur, excluding Naga City, 80 percent.

Transport groups in the island province of Catanduanes did not take part in the transport strike.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda suspended classes in all levels across the province due to the transport strike.