Soldier killed in ambush by suspected NPA in NegOr

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

 

BACOLOD City – The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (ID) grieves over the death of a soldier in an ambush staged by suspected New People’s Army (NPA) at Sitio Compound, Barangay Luz, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental on Wednesday.

The fatality was identified as Corporal Mark Anthony Quiocson of Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental.

Quiocson was detailed to the 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB) based in Barangay Libas, Isabela town in Negros Occidental and was assigned as one of the operators of the Community Support Program (CSP) teams in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.

The ambush happened two weeks after military troopers and police clashed with the NPA in Mabinay, Negros Oriental on June 18 which killed five rebels.

Colonel Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde) said Quiocson was attacked by about five armed persons while on his way back to Barangay Banuague in Guihulngan City for the CSP.

He said that the suspects probably monitored Quiocson’s movement.

Quiocson succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds and his government issued .45 caliber pistol and other personal belongings were reportedly stolen by the perpetrators, who fled to the neighboring village.

Pasaporte said Quiocson was also probably shot at close range based on the bullet wounds he suffered.

Following the incident, Pasaporte ordered all battalion commanders and military troopers to be extra cautious.

“We know that we are at risk, but we should always remember to be very careful and to not let our guards down” he said.

He said that they already have a lead and they will be pursuing the perpetrators to give justice to their comrade.

Meanwhile, the 3rd ID called the attack against their colleague as “desperate and cowardly.”

Major Cenon Pancito III, spokesperson of the 3ID, in a statement, said that Quiocson died in the hands of the coward communist-terrorists who always resorted to deceitful attack since they cannot afford to face and engage our troops in a legitimate armed encounter.

“His death will not weaken our will to continue serving and protecting the Negrenses, but will motivate us to be relentless in pursuing the communist-terrorist group who knows nothing but spoiling the delivery of community services in the area,” Pancito said.

He said that the “CSP caused a major damage to the armed struggle of the communist-terrorist group, thus, they are desperate enough to disrupt our effort.”

He said that the CSP is effective in addressing the root-causes of decades-long insurgency in the area.

Despite their loss, the Army assured that the CSP teams will continue to bring community services to the people, and will be more aggressive in putting the insurgency to its end.