Soldier wounded in encounter with alleged NPAs in Cagayan

February 27, 2018

A soldier was wounded in an encounter between alleged New People's Army (NPA) member with government troops in the province of Cagayan on Monday afternoon, a military spokesman said.

Lt. Col. Isagani Nato of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) said Tuesday the troops of 17th Infantry Battalion were conducting pursuit operation when they have encountered around 10 rebels at the vicinity of Sitio Naruddukan, Brgy. Abarriongan Uneg, Sto. Nino, Cagayan around 3:10 pm.

Nato said one solider was wounded while there were "undetermined casualties" on the enemy side.

“The NPAs suffered undetermined number of casualties, while one casualty on the side of the government troops who was wounded on his left shoulder,” he said.

Nato said the pursuit operation was conducted following the five-minute fire fight between the rebels and the government troops in the same barangay last Sunday afternoon.

“No casualty was incurred by both sides after the communist terrorists withdrew from a brief firefight,” he said referring to last Sunday’s clash.

Nato said the military “forces will continue to conduct Focused Military Operations (FMO) to preselected target areas identified as NPA affected communities to clear them of armed threats, and eventually reduce their capability.” Robina Asido/DMS