Two soldiers wounded in clash with rebels

CEBU, Philippines – Two soldiers were wounded in another armed skirmish with suspected members of the New People’s Army Sunday morning.

The incident, which happened around 6 a.m. at the hinterland village of Tacayan in Tapaz, Capiz, injured Corporal Niel Lagat and Private Raymund de Juan, both members of Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion.

Major Ray Tiongson of the 3rd Infantry Division public information office said the two were immediately airlifted and brought to the 3ID Station Hospital in Camp Peralta, Jamindan, Capiz. Lagat and De Juan are now in stable condition.

Lieutenant Colonel Victor Llapitan, 61st IB commander, said the encounter came after reports of the presence of armed persons in Tacayan and its neighboring villages.

“We have been receiving reports that this group of NPA remnants was extorting money and food supplies from the community. This group resorts to banditry and is now on the run because it has already lost its mass base of support,” he added.

This prompted 61IB soldiers to conduct peace and development initiatives in the area.

It was during one of these activities that 61IB troops encountered around 10 rebels.

Meanwhile, Llapitan believed that there were rebels who got wounded during the encounter.

He also did not discount the possibility that they even suffered casualties, as manifested by bloodstains on the rebels’ route of withdrawal. To aid those who got wounded, an Army medical ambulance was placed on standby.

Llapitan urged the rebels to lay down their arms peacefully for them to be given proper medication. — /JMD