PAF trooper slain in Batangas encounter

LUCENA CITY — A Philippine Air Force (PAF) trooper was killed in an encounter with suspected New People’s Army rebels in Tuy town in Batangas province on Monday evening, the military said Tuesday.

Major Angelo Guzman, spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Southern Luzon Command (Solcom), said 12 soldiers from the PAF 730th Combat Group under the Joint Task Group “Finisher Warrior” were on patrol in Barangay (village) Toong when the group encountered an estimated 15 armed communist guerillas at around 7:45 p.m.

Quoting a report, Guzman said Airman First Class Cliff Arvin Alama was hit in his left shoulder during the exchange of gunfire.

The wounded soldier was pulled out of the encounter site and evacuated to the Medical Center Western Batangas in Balayan town.

However, Alama was declared dead on arrival at the hospital at around 8:05 p.m., Guzman said.

Colonel Peale John Bondoc, commander of JTG “Finisher Warrior,” deployed additional troops to run after the escaping rebels, said Guzman.

Guzman said Solcom condoled with the family of the slain soldier.

On Dec. 19 last year, a PAF sergeant was also killed in another encounter with NPA rebels in Nasugbo town.

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