TWO Army soldiers and a New People’s Army (NPA) rebel died in separate clashes in Masbate and Northern Samar last Monday.
One of the slain soldiers was identified by the Army 9th Infantry Division as Corporal Antonio Parreno Jr., detailed with the Army’s 2nd Infantry Battalion.
Parreno and other soldiers from the battalion were sent to Barangay Villahermosa in Cawayan after officials received information about the presence of a group of rebels in the area.
While conducting the operation, soldiers clashed with about 12 rebels, leading to the death of Parreno. The rebels withdrew after a five-minute firefight.
The military said bloodstains were found at the rebels’ withdrawal route, indicating the insurgents may have incurred casualties.
During the clearing operation, soldiers found at the encounter site an R4 assault rifle, two anti-personnel mines, two improvised explosive devices, four blasting caps, wires, a binocular, an improvised pellet gun, three cell phones, and personal belongings.
Maj. Gen. Adonis Bajao, 9th Infantry Division commander, sent condolences to the bereaved family of Parreno.
He said military operations will continue to end the insurgency problem in Bicol.
In Northern Samar, another soldier and a still unidentified NPA rebel died after a firefight with troops from the Army’s 4th Scout Ranger Battalion in Silvino Lobos town.
The Army’s 8th Infantry Division said the soldiers were on combat operation when they clashed with seven members of the NPA’s Front Committee 1 in Barangay Geparayan De Turag.
Soldiers conducted the operation after receiving information from a “concerned civilian” that a group of rebels was conducting extortion activities in the barangay.
The rebels escaped after a 20-minute firefight, leaving behind the body of their dead comrade and an M16 rifle.
“A young soldier also offered the ultimate sacrifice during the encounter,” said Capt. Jefferson Mariano, 8th ID spokesman, without identifying the slain soldier.
Maj. Gen. Camilo Ligayo, 8th ID commander, expressed condolences to the family and friends of the slain soldier.
“His heroism and gallantry in action in serving the people of Northern Samar to support the attainment of lasting peace and development should never be forgotten,” said Ligayo.
