4 troops killed, at least 7 wounded in NPA ambush in Isabela

GAMU, Isabela — Four Army troopers were killed and at least seven were wounded when communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels staged an ambush in a remote town here over the weekend.

Army Maj. Rogelio Migote, spokesman of the 5th Infantry Division based in Camp Melchor dela Cruz here, said the encounter took place at remote Sitio Curawitan, Barangay Binatog in San Mariano town here on Saturday.

Migote said more than 30 heavily-armed NPA rebels waylaid a platoon of government troops while they were conducting a reconnaissance patrol.

Migote identified those killed in the ambush only as M/Sgt. Alcantara, T/Sgt. Sedon, Corporal Cariño and Pfc. Cabildo, all from the Fifth Division’s 53rd Reconnaissance Company.

Those wounded were identified as Corporals Daniel Gillona, Godofredo Logronin, Virgilio Manabat, Pfc. Zosimo Vallo, Pfc. Arnel Verzola, all of the 53rd RC, and Pfc. Jefford Manzano of the 45th Infantry Battalion.

Migote said the government troops were ambushed by numerically superior forces at around 9 a.m. of Saturday and were able to hold their positions at the ambush site until 3 p.m. when reinforcements arrived.

The running gunbattle also resulted in the wounding and possible killing of a still undetermined number of rebels, Migote said.

Fifth Division commander, Maj. Gen. Samuel Bagasin said the military is now pursuing the fleeing rebels who retreated toward the Sierra Madre mountain range.

Bagasin said the rebels are believed to be members of the NPA Benito Tesorio Command, the same command which staged another ambush in neighboring Jones town here Oct. 14 that resulted in the death of another Army trooper.

The NPA unit, which is under the Southern Cagayan Valley Communist Party Committee, also claimed responsibility for last year’s assassination of Jones town Mayor Jesus Sebastian.