One soldier was wounded when troops from the 89th Infantry battalion clashed with communist rebels in Sitio Gulansing, Barangay Salapawan, Paquibato District on Saturday afternoon.
Lt. Col. Silas Trasmontero, the 89th IB commander, did not identify the wounded private first class to TIMES pending notification of his family.
The soldier sustained a gunshot wound on his left leg. He was among the members of the Scout platoon that was conducting clearing operations at the said area when they encountered more or less 10 New Peoples Army rebels belonging to Guerrilla Front 55 under Ka Baylan.
The firefight lasted for about 20 minutes.
He added that the said troops are part of the advanced security elements of community support program teams in sitios Sudlon and Old Colosas, both in Barangay Colosas.
After spending 20 minutes clearing the encounter site, another clash transpired at about 2:45 p.m., which lasted for 10 minutes.
Trasmontero said the wounded soldier was airlifted to the Panacan Station Hospital for treatment, but he is now out of danger. The remaining soldiers are still pursuing the rebels.
“People are now reporting the presence of the terrorist group in their respective areas, hence, the military was able to track and engage the armed group,” Trasmontero said.
“We continue to appeal to the people of Paquibato to continuously support the security forces to finalĺy stop their terroristic actions/extortion activities and eventually annihilate them. This way, we will be able to establish peaceful and conflict-resilient communities,” he further said.
