ILOILO City – Personnel of the Philippine Army (PA) clashed with members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in Barangay Igbucagay, Hamtic, Antique yesterday.
Lieutenant Colonel Joel Benedict Batara, commander of the PA’s 61st Infantry Battalion (IB) under the 3rd Infantry Division, said his troops were riding a truck bound for San Joaquin, Iloilo to augment the number of men securing the border points in the town when an improvised explosive device exploded on their way around 12:30 a.m.
A gunfight between the soldiers and rebels then followed for two minutes before the insurgents retreated.
“Takot sila na baka ma-corner sila that’s why they immediately withdrew,” said Batara.
He added that one of his men, a Private First Class, was slightly hit by the explosion on his upper right eyebrow but immediately returned to work after receiving medical treatment.
The 61IB already deployed more soldiers to Hamtic to run after the rebels.
Major Cenon Pancito III, 3ID spokesperson, said the reason why the rebels launched the attack to soldiers was to prove that the NPA is still strong.
“Gusto nila magpahiwatig na malakas sila pero alam naman natin na kaunti nalang sila. We are now heading towards our goal. Kaunti nalang at makkaamit na natin ang tagumpay against the rebels,” said Pancito./PN
