BACOLOD City – The Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade (303IB) honored three fallen soldiers and four others who were wounded in an encounter with the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental.
“Their heroism will never be forgotten by the people of Negros,” said 303IB commander Colonel Inocencio Pasaporte as he lauded the bravery and selfless dedication of the operating troops to secure and protect the community.
Pasaporte also expressed condolences to the family of the slain soldiers.
“We express our deepest sympathy to the
families of our hero-soldiers who died fighting for the peace in Negros
Island,” the Army official said.
On Sunday, troops of 94th Infantry Battalion (94IB) were conducting a community
security patrol in connection with the distribution of the Social Amelioration
Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development to families
affected by the COVID-19 pandemic when they encountered an undetermined number
of NPA rebels.
The soldiers were getting close to the NPA
members when an improvised explosive device exploded and hand grenades were
thrown inflicting immediate casualties among the soldiers. A 30-minute
firefight then followed the explosion.
The fatalities were identified as 2nd Lieutenant Ralf Amante Abibico, Corporal
Joel Nobleza, and Private First Class Carl Venice Bustamante.
Wounded were Corporal John Cris Laus; Private First Class John Paul Geonzon; Corporal Lismer Jade Tumayao; and Private First Class Alexis Mepranum.
All of them were now in stable condition.
Pasaporte said the soldiers also saw the rebels dragging their dead and wounded comrades.
“We will heighten operations to capture these NPA terrorists and stop them from sowing fear in the communities,” he added./PN
