Army foiled NPA ambush attempt

By Cpt. MARIO JOSE M. CHICO, (QMS) PA
February 14, 2007

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan, Samar  –  A text message from a concerned resident of Brgy. Pahug prevented a would be atrocities of the communist terrorists group CPP-NPA-NDF and resulted to a combat encounter between the Army and the terrorist group along Maharlika Highway in Brgy. Pahug, Pinabacdao, Samar at about 7:30 a.m. of February 12, 2007.

Acting on the information that unscrupulous armed men were sighted along Maharlika Highway, Army troopers from Madalunot Detachment of 52IB led by Sgt. Edgardo L Tizon proceeded to the area to confirm the report. While traversing the hilly side of the highway in the vicinity of Brgy. Pahug, Pinabacdao, Samar, they were fired upon by a group of more or less 20 NPA terrorists from an adjacent hill. Immediately, the Army troopers maneuvered to a higher ground and established a base of fire and hit the terrorists hard while calling for reinforcements. After ten (10) minutes of intense firefight, the NPA terrorists withdrew towards Northeast direction leaving behind One (1) M-1 Garand rifles with ammunitions and other personal belongings. Reinforcements from 62IB arrived and conducted hot pursuit operations trailing the bloodstains along the withdrawal route of the enemy.

After clearing the area, the government troopers recovered two (2) Improvised Anti-Personnel Land Mines emplaced by the NPA terrorists in the area. It was believed that the communist terrorists have planned to ambush Army troopers passing through the Maharlika Highway. Two (2) CAFGU personnel have been slightly wounded and were immediately evacuated to Camp Lukban Station Hospital for medical treatment.

The use of landmines has long been prohibited under the existing provisions of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL).