Man injured in ‘crossfire’ as Army, Reds clash in Janiuay

By Jennifer P. Rendon

 

A 21-year-old man was injured in an encounter between troops from the Philippine Army’s 12th Infantry Division and suspected New People’s Army (NPA) members in Janiuay, Iloilo on Wednesday.

Rico Libuna, a resident of Sitio Asian, Barangay Jibolo, Janiuay, suffered a gunshot wound on the right side of his body.

Lieutenant Michael Imperial, 12th IB Civil Military Operations officer, said Libuna was transported on a motorcycle to the hospital.

The area where he was rescued was near an encounter site at Sitio Naguihot, Barangay Panuran.

Government troops later took him to Federico Roman Tirador Sr. Memorial District Hospital in Janiuay town for treatment.

“We don’t consider him a civilian for now. We’re still validating reports that he could be a member of the NPA,” Imperial said.

It was around 6:56 a.m. of Wednesday when a platoon from the 12th IB led by 2nd Lieutenant Richard Ian Gumimba encountered members of the SYP Balay Platoon of the Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay (KR-P)’s Central Front.

Minutes later, members of the 31st Division Reconnaissance team led by 2Lt Aninion encountered the rebels while on their withdrawal route.

No one was hurt on the government side.

But the soldiers believed that there could are wounded rebels based on the traces of blood stains at the encounter site.