Army Corporal Slain During Firefight With Rebels

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili,  Camarines Sur (2 Oct) -AN ARMY Corporal died during an encounter with communist rebels in the hinterlands of Pinamihagan, Lagonoy, Camarines Sur about 2:00 A.M. last October 1, when an army patrol from the 42^nd Infantry Battalion fought rebels who were reportedly extorting " revolutionary fees" from a Chinese firm operating a  copper mine in the upland areas of Lagonoy.

42^nd Infantry  Battalion Commander, Lt.  Col. Ernesto Cruz, identified the fatality as Army Corporal Emmanuel Abin  II, 26, a native of Ragay, Camarines Sur.

According to Army reports, Abin was the lone army casualty during a 5-minute  fire fight with the rebels, while Lt. Col. Cruz said another NPA was left dead at  the  encounter site.

Army troopers were unable to recover the body to prioritize the evacuation of Corporal Abin who expired while being brought to a local hospital in the Partido district.

At the 42^nd Infantry Battalion Camp at Tigaon, Camarines Sur, 14 soldiers including Corporal Abin were honoured in a wreath laying ceremony in this camp.

Other slain soldiers were recalled of their heroism, like 2^nd Lt. Michael Logronio, 23, who died when rebels detonated a landmine along road in Bicalen, Presentacion,  Camarines Sur early this year.

Another slain soldier honoured was 2^nd Lt. Michael Castro who was given a military citation for saving four children in a crossfire during an encounter with rebels in Lupi town last August.

Meanwhile, three suspected members of a private armed group and seven assorted high powered fire-arms were seized in a joint army and police raid in Bangon, Arroroy, Masbate, 9^th Infantry Battalion Commander, Lt. Col. Anthony Purugganan reported on Friday.

Purugganan said that the raid which was covered by a search warrant yielded a Cal. 5.56mm M653 rifle,  a Cal. 9mm KG9 sub-machinegun, two Cal. 45 M19-11A1 pistols, two shotguns, and a Cal. 22 revolver.

Masbate Police Director, Sr. Supt. Henry Ranola, chief of the "Special task force Masbate" reported that charges for violation of the COMELEC Gun Ban and Illegal Possession of Firearms were filled against suspected private armed group members identified as Rico Sandig, Roberto  Tugbo, and a certain Resurrecion. (SONNY SALES)