Soldier wounded in Tubungan clash gets cash aid

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The Iloilo Provincial Government provided financial assistance to a soldier who got wounded during an anti-insurgency operation in Tubungan, Iloilo.

Sergeant Ernie Dionson of the Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion received the P20,000 cash while in confinement at the Camp Peralta Station Hospital (CPSH) in Jamindan, Capiz on Feb. 12.

Capitol employees Dylan Rey Valencia, Melinda Defensor and Mark Nervin Morada personally turned over the amount to Dionson.

It can be noted that Dionson was wounded during an encounter between the 61st IB troops and around 15 NPA rebels on Jan. 17 at the hinterland village of Igpaho, Tubungan.

His fellow soldier, PFC Rodelo Alianza, didn’t survive the firefight.

The skirmish happened after the troops responded to reports about sightings of armed men in Igpaho.

According to Brigadier General Michael Samson, 301st IB commander, the rebels are believed to be members of Southern Front’s Puregold Platoon of the NPA’s Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay under Nahum Camariosa alias Bebong.

The firefight lasted for about 12 minutes. The rebels then scampered to different directions.

Samson said it’s highly possible that the local terrorists also had fatalities based on the evidence gathered at the encounter site and on their withdrawal route.

Samson said the two soldiers were airlifted to a medical facility in Iloilo City but Alianza did not pull through.