4 soldiers discharged for lapses in NPA clash

MANILA, Philippines - Four soldiers were discharged and two others were relieved from their posts for committing “operational lapses” in a clash with communist rebels in Oriental Mindoro this month, which claimed the lives of 11 Army personnel.

In a statement, Army spokesman Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres Jr. said this was the recommendation of the Board of Inquiry (BOI) led by Brig. Gen. Rolito Abad, which investigated the incident.

“The BOI… found that there were indeed some operational lapses on the part of the operating troops led by 1Lt. Ronnie Sipsip, (who was among the 11 soldiers who were killed) and on the part of Lt. Col. Sino Cruz, commander of the 4th Infantry Battalion,” Torres said.

“The troops failed to accurately assess the indicators of an enemy offensive like the presence of the three suspicious persons at the encounter site who were flashing on and off their flashlights prior to the incident,” he added.

Discharged from the military service were Pfcs. Guerero de la Cruz, Glenn Guibone and Obar Ercilla, and Pvt. Juralph Culili.

The four were survivors of the ambush by around 50 New People’s Army (NPA) members last March 6.

Cruz was relieved as commanding officer of the 4th Infantry Battalion, while 1Lt. Romel Toriado was removed as commander of the 23rd Division Reconnaissance Company.

The BOI said Cruz failed to adequately supervise the troops involved in the operation, particularly during the planning phase.

The board said the four discharged soldiers violated Articles of War 76 and 97 for conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline and for misbehavior before the enemy.

“We understand the plight of the survivors recommended to be discharged from the service. However, there are certain standard operating procedures, rules of engagement, and Articles of War that we, as soldiers, have to live by whether in combat or while doing administrative duties,” Torres said.

“Soldiers understand fully well that any infraction thereof has corresponding penalties,” he added.

The BOI, however, absolved 203rd Infantry Brigade commander Carlos Quita from administrative and criminal liabilities, saying he acted accordingly on the situation.

Torres said the board also dismissed allegations that the ambushed unit lacked military training.

“Army chief Lt. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu stressed the importance of sustaining the readiness of troops and units through continuous professional development training and the provision of mission-essential requirements of troops in the front lines,” he said.

Eleven soldiers died and seven others were wounded after communist insurgents ambushed a platoon of the Army’s 23rd Division Reconnaissance Company in Barangay Panaytayan, Mansalay town on March 6.

The soldiers were then conducting a clearing operation in preparation for the campaign period of local candidates.

The military said the operations are intended to foil any attempt by the NPA to extort money from candidates.