Manila, Philippines – Suspected members of the insurgent New People’s Army (NPA) in Bicol tried to ambush military convoys escorting relief goods bound for Leyte engaging soldiers in a gun fight that lasted for more than three hours Tuesday, between 5:15 am to 8:30 am.
An alleged group of around 15 members of communist NPA attacked military escorts of a humanitarian mission going to Tacloban City to assist in restoring law and order in the typhoon-ravaged areas of Leyte as well as escorting trucks of relief goods on the way.
The incident happened in Brgy. Balocawe, Matnog, Sorsogon early morning of Tuesday while the mission is on its way to Matnog port. Two members of the rebel group were killed in the fight that ensued.
Military officials identified the casualties as Udyong Huardi AKA ‘Ka Rio/ Ka Abel, an NPA cadre in the province of Sorsogon, and ‘Ka Weng’, a ‘Sentro de Gravidad’ commanding officer in the area.
A third 19-year old suspect from Bulan, Sorsogon, identified as Peter Chija was reported to have been wounded and is now being treated at a hospital in Legazpi City, Albay.
Military and police personnel are being deployed by government in Tacloban to quell rampant looting and lawlessness in the city as super typhoon Yolanda survivors struggled for food, water and medicine after the massive devastation that is believed to have killed at least 10,000 people.
Relief goods and medicine are also in dire need as food shortage prompted hungry victims to steal from malls, stores and groceries in the city to survive.
Apparently, the insurgent’s attack was foiled due to an intelligence report in the province of Sorsogon about the rebel group’s planned ambush in an attempt to sabotage government effort to transport aid to Leyte.
A clearing operation conducted by 31st Infantry Battalion after receiving the intelligence report resulted in the military troops pre-empting the attack, ahead of the insurgents’ scheduled trip to Matnog port.
No casualties were reported on the government side while soldiers recovered several firearms and improvised explosives on the scene.
