Army troops encounter NPA in Samar and Leyte

By DPAO, 8ID PA
July 21, 2015

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan City, Samar – Soldiers under 19th Infantry Battalion and 43rd Infantry Battalion encountered new people’s army (NPA) members operating in Leyte and Samar Provinces respectively. The encounters both happened on June 18, 2015. 19IB encountered the NPA members in Barangay Caghalo, Carigara, Leyte around 9 o’clock in the morning, while 87IB encountered the NPAs at Barangay Tapol, Paranas, Samar around 2 o’clock in the afternoon.

Based from the report of Lt. Col. Nedy C. Espulgar, Commanding Officer of 19IB, his troops were acting on a report of NPAs’ presence at Barangay Caghalo. When they reached the said barangay, the soldiers were fired upon by around 30 NPAs triggering the troops to fire back and engage the rebels for a one (1) hour encounter.

This encounter resulted to the seizure of the NPA enclave and the recovery of two (2) improvised explosive devices (IEDs), Electric regulator, Maps, Medical kit, Food Supplies, rebel document and personal belongings. There was no reported casualty on both sides.

On the other hand Lt. Col. Seigfred C. Tubalado, Commanding Officer of the 43rd Infantry Battalion reported that while his troops were on combat operation and passing by Barangay Tapol, they were fired upon by around 15 NPAs that triggered a 15 minutes encounter.

This encounter resulted to the wounding of two soldiers, namely: Private First Class Jonjie N. Sanico and Private First Class Diego C. Rebalde. Both soldiers suffered gunshot wounds at their left thighs. The rebels suffered undetermined number of casualties based from the bloodstains seen at their route of withdrawals.

The wounded soldiers are now recuperating at Camp Lukban Station Hospital and are in stable condition.