Militiaman wounded as gov’t troops clash with Communist rebels in Albay

NAGA CITY, Philippines — Government troops clashed with suspected New People’s Army rebels in two separate encounters in two villages in Ligao City, Albay, on Wednesday morning, resulting in the wounding of a government militiaman, an Army official said.

Ronnie Patiam, a member of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit, was with a composite team of Army troopers, when he was hit during a fire fight with around seven communist rebels in Sitio Saban, Barangay Maonon, Ligao City at around 8:30 a.m., said Maj. Angelo Guzman, spokesperson of the Army’s 9th Infantry Division.

Col. Arthur Ang, commander of the 901st Infantry Brigade, said Patiam was grazed by a bullet on the head.

The militiaman, however, was brought to the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital in Albay and declared out of danger,” he said.

Guzman said it was the second encounter between the communist rebels and Army troopers that morning, following the clash at 6:30 a.m. in Purok 3, Barangay Cabarian, Ligao City

He said the rebels were hiding in the house of villager Julian Retiran when a five-minute firefight ensued between the rebels and the troopers.

Army troopers recovered two backpacks, a Molotov bomb and anti-government documents after the fire fight.