DAVAO CITY – The Army reportedly suffered four casualties in separate encounters with the New People’s Army in the region this week.
A soldier and a civilian were reportedly killed, while another soldier was hurt in an encounter with the NPA early morning Tuesday, April 26 in Sitio Tubison, Barangay Astorga, Sta Cruz, Davao del Sur.
In a statement, the Army said the soldiers under the 1002nd Infantry Brigade figured in an almost an hour of a firefight with the members of Guerrilla Front 51 of the NPA at around 5:15 am today.
“The names of the casualties are being withheld pending notification of their families,” the Army’s 10th Infantry Division said.
It said the casualties were already evacuated and provided with medical attention, while a checkpoint has been set up in the area.
The 1002nd Infantry Brigade has coordinated with the local governments of Sta. Cruz and Davao del Sur for the necessary assistance to the populace who were affected by the said armed conflict.
“We wish to further inform the public that the situation in Barangay Astorga is manageable and under control by government forces and agencies,” the Army said.
“We are asking for the understanding and cooperation of the community affected by the armed encounter,” it said.
Encounter in Comval
Meanwhile, another soldier was killed and another wounded in separate encounters with the NPAs on Monday, April 25.
The Army reported that soldiers of 60th and 84th Infantry Battalions engaged in firefights with the NPAs where they recovered an Armalite rifle and improvised explosive devices in Laak, Compostela Valley Province.
The first incident happened around 7:30 a.m. involving troops of Charlie Company, 60th IB in the boundaries of Sitio Cebule and Sitio Taduk, both of Barangay Kapatagan, Laak encountered the guerrilla fighters.
The second incident happened after three hours at 10:30 a.m., while troops of 84th IB boarding four motorcycles were ambushed by NPA who were allegedly members of Guerrilla Front 54 in Sitio Colorado, Barangay Sibulan, Toril District here. A soldier was killed, while another one was wounded.
On Friday evening, April 22, the Army has also engaged in a firefight with the NPAs in Barangay Datu Davao, Laak town where they recovered three high-powered firearms, which included a caliber 30 BAR rifle, caliber 30 M1 carbine rifle and an improvised grenade launcher. (davaotoday.com)
