ILOILO City – To beef up its anti-insurgency campaign, the 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB) of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) formed a new company.
The creation was formalized on Jan. 22 at Camp Monteclaro in Barangay Igtuba, Miag-ao, Iloilo. It was led by 61IB commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Sisenando Magbalot.
The Rifle Company (or “Delta Company”) is made up of 150 soldiers led by 1st Lieutenant James Santos as commander.
“We want a stronger command to put pressure on rebels. Kailangan natin tutukan ang iniikutan nila kahit maliit na numbers nila,” said Magbalot.
The Rifle Company would be deployed to where there are rebels such as Miag-ao and Calinog towns on Iloilo province and areas in Capiz.
“The trust I have for your company commander is the same trust I have for all of you as new members of the 61IB,” Magbalot told Rifle Company soldiers. “You have been chosen to be part of this because you are the best. I expect you to perform your duty, follow your seniors, and your officers.”
The new company was formed days after a series of clashes between government troops and rebels.
Late night on Jan. 15, Philippine Army troops and New People’s Army (NPA) rebels exchanged gunshots in Miag-ao, third such incident in the municipality in a week. This most recent clash took place in Barangay Ibata around 11:20 p.m.
Soldiers of the 61IB and rebels exchanged fire for some 20 minutes until the insurgents retreated.
The first encounter happened on Jan. 11 in Sitio Tigmahan, Barangay Alimodias.
The 61IB soldiers were in the village in response to complaints from residents that rebels were demanding rice from them, according to Magbalot.
The rebels eventually retreated toward the mountains of Sibalom, Antique.
The second encounter was in Sitio Lay, Barangay Dalije on Jan. 13. around 11 a.m.
Tuesday last week’s clash was also the fourth of such incident in Iloilo province in a week. On Jan. 14 a soldier was wounded by rebels in Barangay Cabatangan, Lambunao town.
Corporal Aldrin Cablas of the 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB) was taken to the Dr. Ricardo S. Provido Memorial District Hospital in Calinog, Iloilo for a gunshot wound on his left thigh./PN
