THE TOP Philippine Army official in Negros and Panay has lauded the two soldiers of the 15th Infantry Battalion (15IB) injured in a clash with New People’s Army in Cauayan, Negros Occidental on Tuesday afternoon.
“I commend the dauntless troops of the 15IB, especially those who were wounded and who shed their blood in protecting the people from the menace of the communist-terrorists. Wounds only motivate our soldiers to fight harder against oppressors of the Filipino people,” Brig. Gen. Eric Vinoya, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, said in a statement on Wednesday.
A police report identified those injured as 2Lt. Elnard Alde, leader of Scout Platoon, and Pfc. Celmer Lampa, who sustained only minor injuries.
The troops encountered some 15 rebels believed to belong to the NPA’s Southwest Negros Front in Sitio Pinamay-an, Barangay Camalandaan around 2:20 p.m. on Tuesday.
A female rebel was believed to have died during the encounter, based on accounts of civilian witnesses.
Soldiers recovered four rifle grenades as well as two backpacks, personal belongings, including clothes, toiletries, and other items.
Vinoya, who also heads the anti-insurgency unit Joint Task Force-Negros, said the Army will continue to fulfill the desire of Negrenses for an insurgency-free Negros as he renewed his order to the troops to be relentless in hunting down the communist-terrorists.
He acknowledged the overwhelming support of the people of Cauayan to the anti-insurgency campaign by providing the troops vital information on the whereabouts of the enemy.
“This has boosted our relentless combat operations against these anti-people, anti-peace, and anti-progress communist-terrorists,” he added. (By Nanette Guadalquiver)
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