Rebels rob Army’s P1.8M, kill two soldiers, wound 3

CATBALOGAN CITY, Philippines – At least P1.8 million in subsistence allowance fund for the soldiers of the 14th Infantry "Avengers" Battalion was carted away in an ambush Friday evening that also resulted in the killing of two soldiers and the wounding of three.

Information obtained by The FREEMAN showed that personnel of the 14th IB had just withdraw their unit's food allowance from the 8th Infantry Army Division, based at Camp Lukban in this city, and were on their way back to their headquarters at Barangay Dau in Oras, Eastern Samar, when the ambush took place.

While navigating with their truck along the Maharlika Highway — in between the villages of Socorro and Lagundi, about 5 kilometers from downtown Catbalogan — the soldiers were waylaid by suspected members of the New People's Army with the use of a landmine, followed by bursts of rapid gunfire.

Two soldiers, who died on the spot, were identified as Corporals Chelito Edera and Christopher Joey Campos, both of Class 134, while those wounded were 1st Lieutenant Cherwin Lapura, and Privates First Class Rey Calabroso and Jack Macatantan, who were rushed by reinforcement troops to the hospital at the 3rd ID camp.

A composite of military and police Personnel was quickly dispatched to reinforce the beleaguered soldiers and then conducted hot pursuit operations against the rebels who reportedly escaped towards the mountainous side of the ambush area.

Captain Isagani Viernes, chief of the 3rd ID Public Affairs Unit, told The FREEMAN the ambush was a manifestation of the absence of so-called ideology among rebels.

"This is pure banditry perpetrated only by criminal elements. This is no longer about ideology but a manifestation that their so-called advocacy is simply for money. It seems they are financially hurt now that they have resorted to banditry, because we have been stepping up our campaign against their extortion activities," Viernes said.

Viernes also said the rebels’ continued use of landmines has undermined the essence of the International Humanitarian Law, which is oftentimes is being thrown against the military. "Who have been repeatedly violating these standards in the IHL? And why it seems human rights groups are so silent about it?" he asked.

Major General Jet Belarmino, commander of the 8th ID, in a media statement condemned the incident citing the non-adherence of the rebels to the IHL. He then vowed that the Army Division will step up its campaign against the terrorists movement.

Meanwhile, a request for replenishment of the money that was taken away by the rebels was already forwarded to the top hierarchy of the Philippine Army, but its fate is yet to decided as of press time.

The subsistence allowance fund is intended for the meals of soldiers for a particular month. (FREEMAN)