Soldier, 2 CAFGUs killed in encounter

SAN REMIGIO, ANTIQUE  ,Philippines — A soldier and two personnel of the AFP’s paramilitary force were killed in an encounter at sitio Igbaklag in Brgy Aningalan of this town Friday afternoon.

Authorities identified the fatalities as Corporal Absalon Labitan, team leader of the 12th Cadre Battalion of the 3rd Infantry Division, and Julie Huayang and Vevencio Mutha, both members of the CAFGU Active Auxiliaries and residents of Aningalan.

The three were killed while engaging the members of the New People’s Army in a 15-minute gun battle.

Labitan’s group was conducting peace and security patrol in the area when they clashed with about 25 rebels, led by a certain alias Jojo of the southern front of Kilusang Rehiyon-Panay.

Reports have it that rebels may have incurred fatalities also due to bloodstains along the rebels’ escape route.

Captain Reylan Java, 3rd ID spokesperson, said, “We also received reliable reports from residents claiming that they saw bloodied individuals being carried by armed men.”

Jonabeth Mutha, sister of the slain paramilitary man, said her brother and a squad of soldiers were on foot patrol when fired upon by what was believed to be an M203 grenade.

Colonel Jonas Sumagaysay, 3rd ID acting commander, for his part sympathized and extended support to the families of the slain troopers, whose lives they sacrificed for the country would not be in vain. “They will always be remembered as true heroes and advocates of peace,” he said.

“We regret that our call for peace was answered by a continuing armed struggle of the NPA rebels. The death of our brave soldiers will only strengthen our resolve to bring peace in our communities. We remain steadfast and continue to offer peace to the NPA rebels until they realize the futility of the armed struggle,” Sumagaysay said.

Mayor Glenn Cabigunda of this town appealed to the rebels to stop their senseless armed struggle “if they really love the people of San Remigio.” He said that he is willing to have dialogue with the rebels to address social issues.

The father and brother of Cabigunda, both former mayors themselves of this town, were also separately murdered by NPA rebels sometime in 1986 and 1987.