Two soldiers wounded in another Army-NPA encounter

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Two soldiers were wounded in an armed clash between the Philippine Army and the New People’s Army (NPA) on the afternoon of September 1 in Tapaz, Capiz.

The 12th Infantry Battalion did not release the names of the wounded soldiers but reported that their injuries were non-life-threatening.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Vicel Jan Garsuta, 12th Infantry Battalion commander, one soldier sustained a shoulder wound, while the other, an enlisted personnel, suffered an arm injury.

“They have received first aid treatment and medicines. We have already spoken with them,” Garsuta said.

The two injured Army personnel were scheduled to be airlifted to Iloilo City on Monday, September 2. However, adverse weather conditions prevented the planned air extraction.

“We conducted a medical evacuation by land,” Garsuta added.

The two soldiers were injured following an encounter with around seven NPA members at approximately 3 p.m. on September 1 in Barangay Minan, Tapaz, Capiz.

The site of the encounter was about two kilometers from the center of Barangay Minan, which is around 19 kilometers from Tapaz town proper.

Garsuta stated that the NPA forces involved were from the combined Regional Sentro De Gravidad (RSDG), the Komiteng Rehiyon–Panay’s regional headquarters, and the weakened Central Front.

He also suggested that the group might have suffered casualties.

He noted that the same group could have been involved in a previous encounter with members of the 82nd Infantry (Bantay-Laya) Battalion on the afternoon of August 30 in Sitio Odiong, Barangay Manika, Libacao, Aklan.

Garsuta pointed out that Manika and Minan are adjacent villages.

The Libacao encounter occurred while troops were responding to reports from residents about armed rebels forcibly collecting food and engaging in extortion activities in the area.

A 15-minute firefight ensued between the soldiers and approximately 15 NPA rebels.

No government troops were injured in the Libacao encounter, although bloodstains were found at the site and along the NPA’s withdrawal route.

After 15 minutes, another encounter took place between the operating troops and the fleeing Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs), leading to the recovery of an anti-personnel mine (APM) detonator, two rifle grenades, ammunition, and personal belongings.