2 PAF men hurt in Batangas ambush

BATANGAS, Philippines  – Two members of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) were wounded when they were ambushed by suspected New People’s Army rebels in Nasugbu town yesterday afternoon, police said.

Senior Superintendent Alberto Supapo, Batangas police director identified the victims as Sgt. Rowel Moster, 33, resident of Barangay Sabang, Lipa City, and Airman 2nd Class (A2C) Rickred Paradeza, 25, resident of Villamor Airbase Pasay City, and both assigned at the 740th Combat Group of the Philippine Air Force.

Investigations showed that while the soldiers were on their way to Lipa City from Pico de Loro, Barangay Payapa, Nasugbu, Batangas on board a military vehicle (SJE-512) driven by A2C Darell Alquizalas, the airforcemen were ambushed by undetermined number of rebels along the highway in Barangay Balaytigue of said town around 2 p.m.

Reports said Moster and Paradeza sustained sharpnel wounds in different parts of their body and were immediately rushed to Nasugbu Doctors Hospital and later transferred to Fernando Airbase Hospital in Lipa City for treatment.

Joint members of the PAF and Nasugbu police subsequently conducted a hot pursuit operation against the rebels who escaped after the incident.