Soldier, civilian wounded in an NPA harassment in San Jorge, Samar

By RPCRD, Police Regional Office 8
December 23, 2015

CAMP KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte – Police Regional Office 8 again condemns the harassment made by suspected members of New People’s Army against government troops in Brgy. Erenas, San Jorge, Samar at 9:00 PM of December 22, 2015 which wounded one soldier and a civilian.

Based on the spot report, Bravo Company of the 43rd IB, Philippine Army Detachment under 1Lt Hannibal Pagtan based at Brgy. Erenas, San Jorge, Samar was harassed by more or less 15 NPAs and firefight lasted for 15 minutes.

The wounded was identified as PFC Capito and a civilian named Jude Gobe. The report likewise disclosed that enemy withdrew towards North East direction.

The elements of San Jorge MPS, Samar PPO are coordinating with “B” Coy 43rd IB, PA for follow-up investigation relative to the incident while nearby Municipal Police Stations were directed to be extra vigilant, set-up Checkpoints and check nearby hospitals for possible admission of wounded persons.

Prior to this, on the same day, troops of 20th Infantry Battalion composed of five personnel led by Cpl Roman Clago on board KM450/military truck was ambushed by undetermined number of NPA between Brgy. Bukid and Brgy. Bugay, Las Navas Northern Samar.

The government troops believed to be bringing with them relief goods to be distributed to victims of typhoon Nona in the said municipality.

Police authorities identified the KIA as Private First Class Darylll Baldo and the two WIA as Corporals Michael Porten and Roman Clago while it was undetermined on enemy side. The suspected Communist Terrorists withdrew towards Brgy. Roxas, Las Navas, N. Samar.

Last December 17, 2015 around 7:00 o' clock in the morning, albeit NPA’s declaration of ceasefire for this holiday season, atrocities against government soldiers was conducted by the local communist rebels along national highway in Barangays Pahug and Madalunot, Pinabacdao Samar wounding two soldiers of the 846th Engineering Battalion.

The government troops were also transporting relief goods from Oras, Eastern Samar to be distributed to all victims of Typhoon Nona in Northern Samar.

An estimated 15 armed members of Communist Terrorist fired, hitting the driver's feet and one of his escort.

The military trucks were on their way back to Tacloban to get another set of relief goods for the typhoon Nona victims. One Army Officer said that the ambush might be a retaliation of the government troops clearing operations from the past week which enables the Army to overrun an NPA camp near the ambush area.

Accordingly the truck were loaded of 16 soldiers from 546 Engineering Battalion and 81st Division Reconnaissance Company based in this city.