BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—High-ranking officers of the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police met at Camp Saturnino Dumlao here on Thursday to discuss recent attacks by the communist New People’s Army in the area.
The officers “met to discuss the situation after the September 1st Army and NPA clash that killed four soldiers in Barangay Paquet, Kasibu town,” PNP Nueva Vizcaya announced.
Present during the conference were Police Regional Director Chief Supt. Robert G. Quenery, Col. Abrahan Claro C. Casis, Commander of the Army’s 703rd Brigade based in Bungabong, Nueva Ecija, and Senior Supt Leumar U. Abugan, Nueva Vizcaya Police provincial director.
Close to a thousand residents of Barangays Pao, Pacquet and Kakidugen have left their homes to avoid being caught in crossfires, as the Army pursued the communist rebels. These residents “momentarily left their homes to seek shelter in Poblacion, Kasibu and other areas,” local news reports noted.
Kasibu Mayor Chito Bumolo directed the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council to look after the evacuees.
The firefight, which happened in the mountains of barangays Dine, Catarawan and Paquet left four soldiers killed and another wounded.
Robert Corpuz, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management officer said they have augmented the resources of the Kasibu MDRRMC to assist the evacuees.
“We are still on a standby mode to provide other needs of the evacuees which can also increase as ‘hot pursuit’ operations are being undertaken by the military,” Corpuz said.
Staff Sergeant Dexter John Tagacay of Tumauini, Isabela; Corporal Jayson Sabado of Lupao, Nueva Ecija; Corporal Rusty Galan and Private First Class Abraham Lindo died in the encounter. They were all from the Army’s 84th Infantry Battalion based in Dupax del Norte town.
Corporal Jerby Soriano of the 7th Infantry Division was also wounded.
Early reports from the Provincial Peace and Order Council here said NPA sightings have increased in the boundaries of Nueva Vizcaya with Nueva Ecija, Aurora and Quirino provinces.
The PPOC report said the NPA has long been using the government’s peace process to recruit and reestablish their stronghold in remote barangays. With Ben Moses Ebreo