From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 6): Troops hunting down NPA rebels who ambushed and killed soldier in Zamboanga del Sur
Government troops are tracking down the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels responsible in the Friday ambush that killed a soldier undertaking development projects here.
Another soldier was unscathed in the ambush after engaging the NPA rebels, who fled upon sensing the arrival of reinforcement.
Army’s 1st Infantry Division spokesman Capt. Jefferson Somera said the troops are scouring the hinterlands of Guipos municipality in Zamboanga del Surprovince in search for the NPA ambushers.
The ambushers belong to the NPA’s Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee (WMRPC), according to Somera.
Slain in the ambush, which took place around 8 a.m. Friday in Barangay Magting here, was Corporal (Cpl.) Danilo Saavedra of the Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion.
Unscathed was Private First Class (PFC) Rommel Taneo, who managed to engage in a five-minute firefight before the rebels fled.
Somera said the two soldiers belong to the Peace and Development Team (PDT) that is undertaking development project in Barangay Datagan, also in this town.
Somera said the two soldiers were on board a motorcycle driven by Taneo on the way to the Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion headquarters when they were ambushed.
Acting 1st Infantry Division commander Brig. Gen. Felicito Virgilio Trinidad Jr. has condemned the atrocity saying “this action of the enemy manifests their anti-development and anti-peace programs.”
“Our troops were there to uplift the socio-economic condition of our fellows but were fired upon in a desperate attempt to disrupt them,”Trinidad said.
Trinidad said the ambush will not stop them from implementing peace and development projects in every community within the area of responsibility of his command.
He dared the NPAs to work hand-in-hand with the troops if it is true that they want peace and development by virtue of Bayanihan “but sad to say, they are not.”
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=541633
Government troops are tracking down the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels responsible in the Friday ambush that killed a soldier undertaking development projects here.
Another soldier was unscathed in the ambush after engaging the NPA rebels, who fled upon sensing the arrival of reinforcement.
Army’s 1st Infantry Division spokesman Capt. Jefferson Somera said the troops are scouring the hinterlands of Guipos municipality in Zamboanga del Surprovince in search for the NPA ambushers.
The ambushers belong to the NPA’s Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee (WMRPC), according to Somera.
Slain in the ambush, which took place around 8 a.m. Friday in Barangay Magting here, was Corporal (Cpl.) Danilo Saavedra of the Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion.
Unscathed was Private First Class (PFC) Rommel Taneo, who managed to engage in a five-minute firefight before the rebels fled.
Somera said the two soldiers belong to the Peace and Development Team (PDT) that is undertaking development project in Barangay Datagan, also in this town.
Somera said the two soldiers were on board a motorcycle driven by Taneo on the way to the Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion headquarters when they were ambushed.
Acting 1st Infantry Division commander Brig. Gen. Felicito Virgilio Trinidad Jr. has condemned the atrocity saying “this action of the enemy manifests their anti-development and anti-peace programs.”
“Our troops were there to uplift the socio-economic condition of our fellows but were fired upon in a desperate attempt to disrupt them,”
He dared the NPAs to work hand-in-hand with the troops if it is true that they want peace and development by virtue of Bayanihan “but sad to say, they are not.”
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=541633