DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental—Two soldiers from the 79th Infantry Battalion were wounded in an encounter with suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in the hinterlands of Victorias City, Negros Occidental on Friday morning, April 24, 2020.
Colonel Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, confirmed to CDN Digital that two soldiers were wounded during the operation but are now out of danger.
“Sa pursuit operation may natamaan na tropa. May dalawang na wounded na tropa so na evacuate na immediately. Nakarating din ang chopper so they were evacuated at nakarating na sa hospital dito Bacolod City,” Pasaporte said.
The identities of the two soldiers are withheld as of this posting until their respective families are informed.
According to Pasaporte, the troopers, together with the members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), were conducting a security patrol and information dissemination regarding the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the area when they encountered the communist rebels.
A 30-minute firefight ensued.
Pasaporte said the Philippine Army is in control of the situation.
“We assure everyone that despite the pandemic crisis we have today, we will not put our guards down and allow the NPAs terrorist in sowing fear to the communities with their illegal activities in the area,” Pasaporte stated.
Pasaporte added while scouring at the encounter site the troops initially recovered two Improvised Explosive Device (IED), two blasting caps, a bandolier with five AK47 magazines with ammunition, a bandolier with two M16 magazine with ammunition, two civilian bagpacks with personal belongings, three boots, four jungle packs, and subversive documents. /bmjo