Soldier hurt in NPA clash in Abra

January 19, 2018

A soldier was wounded in an encounter with the members of New People’s Army (NPA) in the province of Abra on Thursday.

Lt. Col. Isagani Nato, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Northern Luzon Command spokesman, said the troops of 24th Infantry Battalion were conducting combat operation when they chanced upon undetermined number of leftist rebels at the vicinity of Brgy. Gapang, Pilar Abra around 12:45 pm.

Nato said the fire fight lasted for about 40 minutes resulting to the injury of one soldier and undetermined number of casualties from the other side.

“This resulted to the wounding of one Army personnel, who sustained superficial splinter wounds in the face,” he said.

Nato also said that during the focus military operation, the government forces discovered an enemy encampment in the area.

“The discovered NPA encampment consists of 14 tents and two bunkers. Several subversive items were also recovered comprising of five backpacks, two holsters for Cal .45, four chargeable flashlights, three slings for M16 rifle, one load bearing gear, one transistor radio, five jungle bolos, subversive documents, food stuffs including a half sack of onion, cooking paraphernalia and other personal belongings,” he said.

Nato said another encounter occurred at the vicinity of Brgy. Allaguia, Pinukpuk, Kalinga at around 6:45 am of the same day.

He said a small group of rebels fired six rounds against the Allaguia Patrol Base using a carbine.

There was no reported casualty in the incident. Robina Asido/DMS