2 Army soldiers killed in suspected NPA ambush in Batangas

LUCENA CITY — Two soldiers were killed in an ambush staged by suspected New People’s Army rebels in Calaca, Batangas on Friday evening, a regional military spokesman said.

Major Angelo Guzman, public information officer of the Armed Forces Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) based in Camp Nakar here said the two soldiers were riding a motorcycle in Barangay Coral ni Lopez in Calaca when the rebels fired at them around 7 p.m.

Both troopers died on the spot.

The soldiers – Private First Class Jay Lozano and Ferrie John Gabica, both from the Army’s 16^th Infantry Battalion – came from the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City and were returning to their station in Calaca when waylaid by the suspected rebels.

Guzman said the attack was believed to be in retaliation to the death of five communist guerrillas who were slain in an encounter with government troopers in Nasugbo, Batangas on Wednesday.

The slain NPA rebels in Nasugbo were part of a guerrilla unit from Mindoro Island that had moved to Batangas in preparation for the collection of permit to campaign (PTC) fee from election candidates, according to military report.

Guzman said Solcom had alerted all soldiers to be extra cautious with their security.

According to Guzman, the rebels’ dwindling strength and capability have made them resort to targeting unarmed soldiers, policemen and paramilitary forces.

Lieutenant General Ricardo Visaya, Solcom commander, on Wednesday said the military would deploy additional forces to Batangas to stop the communist insurgents from regaining their lost base in the province and to maintain peace and order.

Visaya also said Solcom was ready to provide security for candidates in the 2016 elections against harassment and extortion by NPA rebels.

The Solcom chief advised candidates not to give in to the demands of the communist rebels by paying PTC in exchange for unmolested poll campaign activities inside the supposed rebel’s influenced areas. CDG

RELATED STORIES

Don’t give in to NPA demands, AFP tells election candidates

NPA still a big election threat, says Solcom