Monday, February 05, 2007
Rebels execute soldier during Bohol encounter
CEBU CITY -- Reports of armed men patrolling the mountains of Batuan town in Bohol led to an encounter between soldiers and communist rebels Saturday morning.
One soldier was killed while two were wounded. The military believes rebels were also wounded in the fight that started at 10:45 a.m.
A 10-man team from the 1st Scout Ranger Battalion was roaming Sitio Candales, Barangay Sta. Cruz, Batuan when it encountered about 20 armed New People's Army members.
Batuan is at the center of Bohol island.
Staff Sergeant Sulpicio Defacto was killed in action while Corporal Dennis Hibanada and Cafgu member Lito Jamil were wounded in the firefight.
According to a SuperBalita report, Jamil was a rebel returnee and one of two civilians serving as guides.
After the gunbattle, Defacto's body was taken to Cebu and was scheduled to be brought to Iloilo, where the 1st Scout Ranger Battalion is based.
Lieutenant Colonel Jefferson Omandam, Central Command (Centcom) spokesperson, said pursuit continued Sunday.
He said the team was conducting operations in response to reports from civilians on a group of armed persons sighted in the place.
Omandam said the team's lead scout narrated that they first spotted two rebels, who fired when they saw the soldiers.
The lead scout, he added, saw the two rebels fall.
Although no bodies were recovered, the soldiers found traces of blood in the encounter site.
The incident came just days after Colonel Jessie Dellosa assumed office as the new 302nd Brigade commander.
The Carmen town-based brigade immediately sent reinforcements after the initial encounter, while a helicopter dispatched from Centcom in Apas, Cebu City lifted the wounded out of the area. (MEA of Sun.Star Cebu)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Manila. (February 5, 2007 issue)
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