Female rebel captured as 61IB successfully hunts down
NPA in Panay.
Recoveries from three
successive encounters between soldiers of 61st Infantry (Hunter)
Battalion and the New People’s Army in the provinces of Iloilo and Capiz
include two high-powered firearms and several magazines of ammunition.
Division Public Affairs Office, Camp Peralta, Jamindan, Capiz--- The
61st Infantry (Hunter) Battalion figured in three separate encounters
with the New People's Army yesterday in the provinces of Iloilo and
Capiz that led to the death of one NPA and the capture of a female armed
rebel. The first encounter in Barangay Mambiranan, Calinog, Iloilo
occurred at around 9:45 a.m. when soldiers led by 1LT Danilo Baranda
spotted about ten armed terrorists in a forest clearing. The first shots
were fired by our soldiers and it was discovered that there was another
group situated about 100 meters from the soldier’s position. A sporadic
exchange of fire ensued, lasting almost two hours. The NPA eventually
scattered and fled in different directions.
A short while after, the 61IB positioned a squad of infantrymen led by
Sgt Bibiano C Prudenciado in Brgy Malitbog, a barangay that straddles
three boundaries between the towns of Calinog and Bingawan in Iloilo and
Tapaz in Capiz. At around half past noon, Sgt Prudenciado’s men
encountered the fleeing NPA in Malitbog apparently crossing over to
Tapaz carrying their wounded. Residents in the area confirmed that they
witnessed the armed rebels carrying their wounded comrades. Evidence of
bloodstains along the enemy withdrawal route supports this information
given by the residents. In their haste to flee from pursuing troops they
dropped several items to include materials for making incendiary bombs
(Molotov fire bombs.)
The NPA encountered by our soldiers in Calinog is believed to be members
of the Central Front Committee of the Communist Kilusang Rehiyon - Panay
who are under the leadership of wanted fugitive and notorious criminal
Francisco Balois aka Tonying. Tonying and his group have several
warrants of arrest for murder and frustrated murder.
Later in the afternoon, another successful series of encounters between
the 61IB and the New People’s Army was launched in Capiz province.
Responding to reports of armed NPA in the town of Maayon, troops led by
2LT Gilbert Facunla from the 61IB chased after a group of 20 fully armed
terrorists and caught up with them in neighboring Pontevedra at around
4:00 p.m. It was a running gun-battle with our soldiers chasing the NPA
until they reached Sitio Upaw in Brgy Lantangan, Pontevedra, Capiz where
a thirty minute exchange of fire ensued. The enemy then withdrew from
the area leaving behind one of their dead comrades and another one, a
female, seriously injured. Two high powered firearms were recovered from
the two who were left behind as well as nine combat packs and assorted
ammunition and personal belongings. Two cellular phones were also
recovered that may assist us in identifying who their contacts are in
these areas.
The wounded female NPA, who later identified herself as a certain Annie
Bangud to media in Roxas City, was captured still clinging on to her
Carbine rifle and wearing a bandolier that carried her magazines and
ammunition. She was shot in the back during the encounter and was given
First Aid by our soldiers and was brought to Roxas City for proper
treatment of her wound. There are also unconfirmed reports received by
the Army of two other NPA wounded being brought for treatment to
hospitals in Roxas City.
These NPA engaged in Pontevedra, Capiz are believed to be members of the
Eastern Front Committee of the Communist Kilusang Rehiyon Panay under
the leadership of notorious criminal and extortionist Romulo Gangoso aka
Regan. The eastern front is made up of not more than 20 Communist
terrorists and the Army believes that we may have chanced upon their
main group in this encounter. In both incidents, no casualties from our
soldiers were reported.
Recoveries from Pontevedra:
• One (1) US rifle cal .30 Garand SN. 952599
• Fifteen (15) ea clips Garand 96 rounds
• Two (2) bandoliers
• One (1) rifle Carbine
• One (1) magazine for carbine 14 rounds
• One (1) magazine for Shotgun 6 rounds 12 gauge
• Nine (9) jungle packs with subversive documents and personal
belongings
• Two (2) cellular phones.
"Talking about the encounters today, the first two in Calinog and the
third in Pontevedra, the 61st IB is a newly deployed battalion here in
the Panay area having come from Negros. Therefore, based on my
assessment that they being new in Panay, they are always on their toes,
alert. They are very willing and eager to learn more about the terrain
and the people of Panay. They have been busy moving around and this is
the result of their hard work and perseverance," shares Major General
Vicente M Porto AFP, the commander of the 3rd Infantry Division in
Western Visayas, with members of the local press.
Porto adds that "these are indicators that the people of Panay in
Calinog, Tapaz, and Pontevedra are very supportive to our ISO campaign.
They immediately report the presence of any armed men in their
community. In fact, in Calinog, the information came straight from a
barangay official. So, these encounters happen."
In response to the question if the 3ID considers these encounters to be
a "Baptism of fire" for the 61st IB in Panay, MGen Porto reasoned that
"we initiated the encounter so it is not really a baptism of fire. Maybe
the first skirmish, the first encounter since their arrival in their new
operational area but certainly we do not consider this as a baptism of
fire of the 61IB in Panay. But ang nangyari sa Calinog, naka recover
tayo ng Molotovs at alcohol. It is intended to create explosion (fire
bombs.) The information we got is that they are going to attack any
detachment and vital installations in that area using these firebombs."
The 301st Infantry Brigade has tasked the 61IB to continue conducting
hot pursuit operations in Central and Eastern Panay. 301st Brigade
Commander COL CAESAR RONNIE F ORDOYO, told media that "your soldiers in
Panay Island are determined to end this insurgency. The Philippine Army
is encouraging these rebels to return in the mainstream society rather
than suffer the same fate."
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