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Monday, October 27, 2003
4 soldiers killed, 5 hurt in clash with NPAs
By Harley F. Palangchao
CAMP ALLEN -- Four soldiers were killed while another five were wounded when government troopers clashed with communist guerillas in Isabela province on Saturday, the military reported Sunday.
Initial reports reaching the Armed Forces Civil Relations Service (CRS) based in Camp Allen in Baguio City revealed the still unidentified slain and wounded soldiers, along with their comrades, were on routine foot patrol operation when around 50 rebels reportedly ambushed them.
The skirmish lasted for more than six hours before rebels belonging to the New People's Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, fled in different directions after more government troops were deployed to the site of the encounter.
The military is still determining the number of casualties on the part of the rebels but surmised the underground movement also sustained losses as evidenced by bloodstains found on the encounter site.
Lt. Gen. Romeo Dominguez, chief of the North Luzon Command (Nolcom), already ordered Maj. Gen. Samuel Bagasin, chief of the 5th Infantry Division, to personally supervise the conduct of hot pursuit operation against the rebels, who are also believed to be responsible for a series of atrocities that happened in Northern Luzon in the past weeks.
The latest of which was the alleged summary execution of two soldiers based in Isabela province in less than two weeks.
The ambush was perpetrated just as President Arroyo directed the government panel to resume peace consultations with the CPP in Bontoc, Mt. Province on Nov. 5 and 6 this year.
The four-fold objectives of the peace consultation include the giving of an update report on the status of the peace talks; undertaking an information campaign on the reform measures in support of the provisions of the government draft of the final peace agreement; facilitating the resolution of specific insurgency issues through affirmative action by concerned government agencies and the citizenry and; mobilizing public support to put an end to violence and the armed conflict.
Defense Sec. Eduardo Ermita Jr. earlier said he "sees a bright prospect" in the resumption of peace talks between the NPA and the government, owing to the active mediation of the Norwegian government.
Ermita, former presidential adviser for peace process, said Norway is now acting as a "third party" instead of just offering its territory as venue for the stalled peace negotiation.
He added that Norway even received from the country's negotiating panel a copy of the peace agreement draft to be offered to the CPP for approval. Sun.Star Baguio
(October 27, 2003 issue)
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