Philippine Army 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) commander, Major General Eric Vinoya, blasted the New People’s Army (NPA) over their use of improvised explosive devices (IED) during their recent ambush in Guihulngan City. According to the military official, the insurgency group is unable to engage in a legitimate encounter due to dwindling numbers and armed capability and have resorted to the “cowardly and desperate” use of IEDs.
“Our troops survived the said IED attack but how about the city and its people?” he asked. “While we are busy working together towards the achievement of peace and development in this area, this terrorist group is just watching and waiting for the perfect time to sow fear and terror.”
Following the incident, Vinoya ordered the 94th Infantry Battalion (94IB) to hunt down the remaining NPA rebels and prevent them from ruining their peace efforts.
Last week, a 94th Infantry Battalion unit led by 2nd Lieutenant Niel Christian Cureg was traversing a road between Guihulngan City in Negros Oriental and Isabela, Negros Occidental when insurgents detonated an IED.
After the explosion, troops came under fire from at least five insurgents. Cureg immediately ordered his men to take up defensive positions and fought back. The gun battle lasted for at least 10 minutes until government forces managed to gain the upperhand and forced the rebels to flee towards Barangay Banog-banog, Isabela.
The 94IB commander and three other soldiers were immediately evacuated for medical treatment. All four are reported to be in stable condition.
The NPA, meanwhile, claimed to have killed two soldiers during the ambush./DGB, WDJ