One soldier killed in encounter with alleged NPA in Quezon

July 24, 2017

One soldier was killed in an encounter between the military and alleged members of New People’s Army in Quezon province a few hours before President Rodrigo Duterte deliver his second State of the Nation Address. Captain Melchor Durante, spokesman of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division, said the troops of 76th Infantry Battalion were conducting security patrol operation when they chanced upon gunmen conducting extortion activity from a construction company at the vicinity of Sitio Bantigue, Cagsiay 2, Mauban town around 5:25 am. Durante said according to Major Gen. Rhoderick Parayno, the commander of 2nd ID, said around seven alleged NPA members were “extorting money from Marc Built Construction Company and was about to be torched when the soldiers caught them.” “The government troops were able to pre-empt the planned NPA arson offensive to comply with their party directive to create disturbance in line with the SONA of President Rodrigo Duterte,” he said. Durante said bloodstains showing enemy casualties were seen after the encounter. “The firefight ensued for 10 minutes leaving several bloodstains along the withdrawal route of said terrorists,” he said. Durante said after the encounter, Col. Arnulfo Burgos, commander of 202nd Brigade,  directed troops to pursue the gunmen. (Robina Asido/DMS)