Sagay ambush kills soldier, militiaman in Negros

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Military personnel in northern Negros Occidental have been reminded to remain alert and avoid complacency after a soldier and a member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary were killed in an ambush in Barangay Maquiling, Sagay City, Negros Occidental, on Tuesday.

First Lt. Fevie Fajardo, civil-military operations officer of the Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion, identified the fatalities as Cpl. Robert Dador, 48, assistant detachment commander of the Celestino Villacin CAA Patrol Base, and CAA member Jonhrey Moncatar, 26.

The attack came after recent insurgency-related developments in the area, including an April 19 clash between the 79th IB and the New People’s Army in Barangay Salamanca, Toboso, Negros Occidental, that left 19 people dead.

The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines and has been involved in one of Asia’s longest-running communist insurgencies.

Fajardo said the victims were traveling on a motorcycle from their detachment when two unidentified gunmen on another motorcycle attacked them.

Both victims were wearing civilian clothes at the time of the attack.

“They were probably being monitored,” Fajardo said, adding that the assailants may have been targeting the soldier.

The victims died at the scene.

Authorities said Dador’s service firearm and personal belongings were left untouched.

Investigators are still determining the motive behind the attack.

Fajardo said authorities could not yet confirm whether the ambush was linked to insurgency activities or possible retaliation for the deadly skirmish in Toboso last month.

“We could not confirm the motive as of now while investigation is ongoing,” Fajardo said.

Fajardo extended condolences to the families of the slain soldier and CAA member.