Soldier in relief operation gunned down in Abra

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya , Philippines   – An unarmed soldier belonging to the Army’s rescue and relief unit was shot dead by suspected communist rebels while on his way home to attend to his typhoon-hit family in Abra late Wednesday evening, belated police reports disclosed.

According to the Army report e-mailed to The STAR yesterday, the slain soldier, Techncial Sergeant Bartolome Valencia of the Army’s 41st Infantry Battalion went home to assist his family who were affected by typhoon Pepeng when the armed suspects shot him while he and other stranded civilians were waiting for the rains to subside in Sitio Abbobotoc, Barangay Lenneng in Lacub, Abra.

“While waiting for the heavy rains (to) subside, the victim (then) decided to go on overnight together with the stranded civilians in the area. (An armed) suspect, who came from the rear direction, suddenly shot the subject without any provocation,” the Army said.

The alleged gunman, who was with other companions, was identified in the Army report as a certain Edwin Balawag a.k.a. Bagyan, a New People’s Army leader in the area. 

“There were witnesses who have seen the crime incident pinpointing to the NPA leader as the perpetrator,” the Army said. 

“The Army, together with the victim’s family, relatives and friends were saddened and condemned the heinous crime committed by the (rebels) in the killing of Technical Sergeant Bartolome Valencia who just conducted humanitarian work during rescue operations to victims of typhoon Pepeng,” the report said. 

The killing, the Army said, took place, while the NPA announced for suspension of military operation (Somo) in order not to hinder the ongoing disaster relief and rescue operation being conducted by the government and non-government organizations to victims of typhoon Pepeng.”  – Charlie Lagasca