Civilian killed, 3 others hurt in Camarines Sur clash

LEGAZPI CITY–A civilian was killed and three others were wounded, including a lieutenant, in a clash between Army soldiers and communist rebels in a hinterland village in Libmanan, Camarines Sur Tuesday morning, an Army official said.

Captain Marjorie Panesa, public affairs head of the 9th Infantry Division, said government troopers were on a joint security patrol when they chanced upon 15 New People’s Army rebels in Sitio (sub-village) Mambinetes, Barangay (village) Udoc, Libmanan around 5:48 a.m.

She said Ely Boy Aroso, a villager from Udoc, was killed in the crossfire, while 1st Lieutenant Carl Edwin Guardacasa, Corporal Joseph Pacon and Police Officer 3 Ariel Fortuna were wounded in the 15-minute encounter that ensued.

Panesa said the government forces recovered three M16 assault rifles left behind by the fleeing rebels.

She said the security patrol was led by Guardacasa of the 42nd Infantry Battalion who teamed up with the Philippine National Police (PNP) Public Safety Company.

Panesa, quoting a report from the joint team, said the government troops were surprised by the sudden appearance of the civilian at the encounter site.

Responding PNP Scene Of the Crime Operatives have yet to find out if the civilian was hit by a bullet fired by the NPA rebels or soldiers. AC