Army troops waylaid by NPA rebels in Northern Samar

By DPAO, 8ID PA
November 26, 2015

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan City – One soldier is killed while three others were wounded when they where ambushed by undetermined number of New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Catarman, Northern Samar, on Tuesday afternoon.

The troops were on-board a military vehicle going back to their battalion headquarters when they were attacked by the NPA rebels at the vicinity of Barangay Washington, Catarman, Northern Samar at around 3:28 p.m. The beleaguered troops belonged to the 63rd Infantry Battalion.

A soldier was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician at Catarman, Doctor’s Hospital while three (3) other soldiers, including an officer, were wounded. Names of the casualties are withheld pending notification of their respective families.

The soldiers are members of Charlie Company of the said battalion who took part in the efforts of pursuing peace and development in their area of operation that led to the Declaration of San Isidro, Northern Samar as Insurgency-Free Municipality, yesterday.

“It is unfortunate and sad that our soldiers were ambushed while serving the people. Our troops were there as part of the whole of nation initiative of ending insurgency in this part of the region,” said Maj. Gen Jet B Velarmino AFP, Commander, 8ID, PA.

“We extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of our personnel, especially to the family of our fallen soldier. He died doing his duty in the pursuit of peace and development in the area,” Velarmino added.

Lt. Col. Carmelito Pangatungan, Commander, 63IB said, “Despite the loss of lives of one of my men, we will not stop to pursue our mission to promote peace and development in our area of operations. The incident only challenges us to do more to achieve our goal for a just and lasting peace.”