Army Soldiers
Clash with NPA Extortionists in Catanduanes
CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur - Army soldiers clash with a
band of NPA extortionists in an upland village in Catanduanes at around
7:30 am today, a military official said.
LtCol Danilo Aquino, Commander of the 83rd Infantry Battalion based in
this island province said that a platoon of the 7th Scout Ranger Company
led by First Lieutenant Ronel Estabillo, supported by another platoon
from his battalion, clashed with more or less 20 NPA extortionist rebels
under the Nerissa San Juan Command led by a certain Daniel Frias a.k.a.
Tabs, in San Isidro Village of Bagamanoc town.
"I sent the platoon of the elite Scout Rangers together with a platoon
from my battalion after receiving a text message from a resident that
several members of the terrorist rebels were roaming around in the
village to extort money and food provisions from them (resident)," said
Aquino.
A ten-minute firefight ensued when the rebels started firing their guns
as the troops approached their positions.
The rebels hurriedly fled the scene of the firefight leaving behind a
Cal 7.62mm M14 Assault Rifle, two ICOM hand-held radios and several
rounds of live ammunitions.
The soldiers in the scene reported the presence of 'pool of blood' along
the route of withdrawal, indicating that the rebels incurred casualties
during the firefight.
The presence of civilians near the rebel positions made it difficult for
the soldiers to corner all the rebels.
All soldiers have been given stern warning to respect human rights and
prevent collateral damage during armed encounters with the rebels.
Major General Ruperto Pabustan, Commander of the 9th Infantry Division
has promptly commended the 83rd Infantry Battalion for their latest
feat.
"I am very glad that you have duplicated the professionalism of the
other soldiers who figured in successful encounters in Albay and
Camarines Sur recently. We have received so much support from the
civilians because they know that we don't put them into harms way during
clashes," said Pabustan.
Brigadier General Marlo Salazar, Commander of the 901st Brigade which
has jurisdiction over Catanduanes and Albay, has ordered the conduct of
pursuit operations to hunt down the remaining rebels.
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