MANILA, July 21 (PNA) — A New People’s Army (NPA) bandit leader was killed when a squad of soldiers and militiamen counterattacked and fended-off a rebel assault on their detachment at Barangay Sta. Elena, Jose Panganiban town, Camarines Norte Monday morning.
The incident took place at 10 a.m., Southern Luzon Command spokesperson Major Angelo Guzman said.
Army’s 902nd Infantry Brigade commander Col. Amador Tabuga said seven NPAs positioned themselves about 300 meters from the detachment and fired on the troops there.
“Initially, the detachment held their position, then their squad leader led his men to a counterattack and successfully engaged the NPAs that resulted to one rebel dead,” Tabuga said.
He added that he immediately went to the encounter site to personally check the situation.
Tabuga disclosed that one of the militiamen suffered minor shrapnel wound from the initial fires of the rebels.
Tabuga identified the slain rebel as Romeo Gresola, team leader of the Propaganda Squad in Camarines Norte, while the wounded militiaman was identified as CAA Hubert Pagao.
In Albay, six civilians were hurt after NPA rebels fired M-203 grenade launchers at an Army Bayanihan Team (BT) in Barangay Anislag, Daraga, Albay around 7:48 p.m. Monday.
Wounded in the two-minute attack were Lendie Asaytono, 35, Eugene Asaytono, 27, Christian Bulgar, 18, Raquel Yato, 17, Jomar Balde, 16 and James Alien, 5.
Guzman said the NPA grenade overshot and hit the Asaytono residence located more than a hundred meters from the soldiers.
The soldiers did not fire back. The medical aid man of the BT immediately proceeded to the Asaytono residence and provided first aid to the wounded individuals.
The NPAs launched series of harassments by firing upon at military camps and a police station in Bicol Region midnight of July 19 until 8 p.m. of July 20.
Eight NPA harassment attacks were recorded in seven Army detachments and one PNP station in Sorsogon Province from 4:45 p.m. to 8 p.m. of July 20. (PNA)