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[av_heading heading=’ NPA: Ambush a reprisal for 61IB ops in Janiuay ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY RUBY P. SILUBRICO
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ILOILO City – The ambush on Philippine Army troops in Barangay Pangilihan, Janiuay, Iloilo was in retaliation to the combat operations of the 61st Infantry Battalion (IB) in the hinterlands of the municipality, according to the New People’s Army (NPA).
In a statement, Ka Julio Montana, spokesperson of NPA-Panay (Coronacion Chiva “Waling-Waling” Command), confirmed that cadres of the Jose Percival Estocada Command carried out the ambush.
“Pinasabugan ng command-detonated explosive ang mga nakasakay na kaaway at nasapol ang isang sasakyan nito,” read a part of Montana’s statement.
Six Army soldiers were wounded in the attack late Friday night last week.
According to Montana, over three weeks of the 61st IB’s combat operations in the mountains of Janiuay were scaring farmers.
“Notoryus ang yunit ng kaaway na ito sa pananakot, pang-hostage at pamamaril sa mga sibilyan sa kanayunan na kanilang inooperasyon at pagkatapos ay pagbintangang mga NPA,” said Montana.
He linked the 61st IB to the death of two civilians in Tapaz, Capiz, one of whom was a five-year-old child, and the death of two farmers in Barangay Jebaca, Maayon, Capiz on February this year.
“Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa nabibigyan ng hustisya ang mga biktima,” according to Montana without giving names.
After the command-detonated explosive went off, a 15-minute exchange of gunfire ensued between the government troops and rebels.
According to Captain Eduardo Precioso Jr., spokesperson of the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), the troops on board military vehicles were on their way to the town proper of Janiuay from Barangay Panuran when ambushed.
He condemned the NPA’s use of improvised explosive device as a violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.
The six injured soldiers were Corporal Ronald Peligro, 34; Private First Class Joebert Porras, 26; Private First Class Ariel Ea, 24; Corporal Reymulondo Villa, 36; Private Peter Calugas, 24; and Sergeant William Viado Jr., 39. They were hospitalized.
This is the first major NPA offensive in Iloilo province following its raid of the police station in nearby Maasin town on June this year. Rebels stormed the police station and immobilized nine helpless police officers on June 18.
The daring, broad daylight incursion was swift. Within 15 minutes beginning around 10:30 a.m., the rebels shanghaied M16 rifles, Glock .9mm pistols, handheld radios and their base, laptops, cash, and jewelry.
The rebels did not harm the nine police officers but handcuffed them. They also used the police station’s patrol car to flee./PN
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