Army, rebels hurt in Catanduanes clash

LEGAZPI CITY , Philippines  – At least six Army troopers and scores of communist rebels were wounded in a 40-minute bloody encounter at around 4:30 p.m. on Sunday in Barangay Guiamlong in Caramoran, Ca-tanduanes, the Bicol Army spokesman confirmed yesterday. 

Capt. Rasaleigh Bansawan, spokesman of the Army’ 901 Brigade based in Villa Hermosa, Daraga, Albay, identified the wounded as Capt. Felix Reodique, Privates First Class Victor Robianes and Lope Abanil; Privates Juvy Cerdon and Ryan Toldanes, and Civilian Auxiliary Aide Juanito Lucero.

Bansawan said the wounded troopers were immediately rushed to nearby hospitals, and were set to be airlifted to mainland Bicol in Albay or Camarines Sur for further treatment.

The spokesman, however, clarified that all six were already declared out of danger.

The encounter ensued when a group of heavily armed rebels waylaid the Army group who was about to conduct a civic action and barangay visitations in Caramoran town.

Also, he denied reports of dead soldiers in the encounter, but instead said that heavy casualties were also inflicted to the rebel side as traced from the bloodstains found on their escape routes towards the town’s hinterlands.         – Cet Dematera