2 minors killed in Catubig, Northern Samar NPA ambush

TWO minors were killed, while another person was wounded after suspected New People’s Army (NPA) members ambushed soldiers in Catubig, Northern Samar on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, the military said on Thursday, February 10.

Major General Edgardo De Leon, commander of the 8th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, said personnel from the 803rd Brigade were deployed in the outskirts of Barangay Roxas after receiving information about the presence of NPA rebels in the area.

“On their way to the reported location of the armed NPA, nadaanan ng tropa ‘yung mga civilians. Sinabihan ng tropa itong mga civilians na manatili sa likod nila dahil may info sila na may NPA sa unahan. Habang dahan-dahan na lumalapit ang mga sundalo, pinaputukan na sila ng mga NPA. Naka-abang na pala ang kalaban sa high ground, bandang unahan. Nagawang dumapa ng mga sundalo, pero ‘yung mga civilians na nasa likod nila, nagtakbuhan. Pinaputukan ng NPA ‘yung mga civilians kaya tinamaan agad ‘yung tatlo,” 803rd Brigade commander Colonel Perfecto Peñaredondo said.

(On their way to the reported location of the armed NPA rebels, the soldiers passed by the civilians, who were told to stay at the back as the rebels are in the area. While approaching the said location, the NPA attacked the soldiers, who managed to dock, but the civilians scampered to different directions. The rebels fired at the civilians.)

He said the soldiers immediately applied medical first aid to the wounded individuals instead of pursuing the rebels.

A 1 2-year-old child was declared dead on arrival at the Catubig Hospital, while a 13-year-old died the following morning while being treated at the Northern Samar hospital.

The 26-year-old survivor supported the troops’ account.

The Municipal Government of Catubig and the Provincial Government of Northern Samar provided assistance to the relatives of the deceased victims, as well as to the injured.

Governor Edwin Ongchuan and Catubig Mayor Galahad Vicencio both condemned the rebels for their “dastardly act of violence” against their constituents.

The local government units vowed to file appropriate cases against the perpetrators. (SunStar Philippines)