Capiz forces encounter NPA TAPAZ, Capiz – Troops of 61st Infantry Battalion encountered the NPA rebels at Brgy Roosevelt in Tapaz,Capiz 6:00a.m. today July 31. Lt. Col. Victor Llapitan, the Commanding Officer of 61st Infantry Battalion said that his troops were conducting peace and development activities in said village when they were fired upon by more or less ten (10) lawless armed elements believed to be members of Tugalbong Platoon, Central Front, Komiteng Rehiyonal-Panay (CF, KR-P) “We engaged the NPA bandits which resulted to the death of one of our soldiers. Our troops are there to help the Local Government Unit (LGU) in assisting the people to resolve the issues in their community and to further improve their lives,” said Llapitan. The slain soldier is identified as Private First Class Lowel John Bravo, 31 years old and resident of Brgy Aguisan, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental. Llapitan stressed that “The NPA continue to deprive the people of Tapaz to have a developed community. This will not hamper our initiatives to provide the necessary services and assistance to the people for them to have a peaceful and better life.” The troops scoured the scene of encounter and saw blood stains along the NPA’s route of withdrawal believed to be those of the wounded fleeing rebels. “We intensify our follow-on operations as we already identified their (NPA) lairs. We call on those rebels to lay down their arms peacefully, be given proper medication and we ensure them that their rights will be respected.” Meanwhile, MGen Aurelio Baladad, Commander of Army’s 3rd Infantry Division instructed the troops to ensure the safety and security of the people, adhere to the provisions of International Humanitarian Law and to follow the Rule of Law. Baladad said, “We express our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of our slain soldier. He offered his life for the sake of the people. He will always be remembered as true hero and advocate of peace.” Baladad also stressed that “Despite of this, we will work even more in Bayanihan spirit together with the LGUs, other stakeholders and the people to win the peace in this part of the region.” “The issues in our society are being addressed through Bayanihan and armed struggle is not one of the solutions. We call on the CPP-NPA to end the armed struggle and talk with us peacefully,” added Baladad. Additional troops are now in the area conducting pursuit operations to run after the fleeing rebels while members of the Philippine National Police Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) conducted investigation in the encounter site. Troops of 61IB are also in close communication with the barangay officials to ensure the safety and security of the residents in the area.
Posted on: Thu, 31 Jul 2014 10:01:16 +0000
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