ILOILO City – The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division reiterated that there will be no let-up in their campaign against the New People’s Army (NPA) following the death of a soldier in Tubungan, Iloilo clash.
Major General Marion Sison, 3ID commander, has ordered to intensify combat operations in Panay Island and Negros Occidental by deploying more soldiers to strategic areas.
“We have to double our combat operation against the terrorists. We have to maintain our men sa field kag may mga additional personnel kita to run after them. Indi kita mag-untat sa operation sa ila. We are thankful sa mga community nga nagahatag sang information sa aton about the movements of armed groups sa ila area,” said 3ID spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel J-Jay Javines.
Private First Class Rodelo Alfanza Palma of Negros Occidental died in an encounter in Barangay Igpaho, Tubungan town on Wednesday, Jan. 17. He was assigned to the 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB).
Another soldier, ranked sergeant, was injured and confined in a hospital.
Javines said the 61IB troops clashed with 15 armed men of the Puregold (SYP) Platoon, SPF, KR-Panay under Nahum Camariosa alias “Bebong” at 10:30 a.m.
The firefight lasted for 12 minutes after the rebels scampered in different directions./PN
