GENERAL TINIO, Nueva Ecija – A soldier was killed while another was wounded in an encounter with the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay Rio Chico here on Thursday, Sept. 1.
Troops from the Army 84th Infantry (Victorious) Battalion were conducting combat operations when they engaged the communist rebels at around 10 a.m.
Private Jaylord Hipolito was killed while Private First Class Francis D. Lictawa was wounded.
Lictawa was immediately given first aid and airlifted along with the body of Hipolito to the Fort Magsaysay Army Station Hospital in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija.
Lt. Col. Enrico Gil C. Ileto, 84th IB commander, vowed to continue their focused military operation and run after the NPA who have been threatening, deceiving, and harassing the people of Barangay Rio Chico.
Ileto and Major Gen. Andrew Costelo, 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division chief, condoled with the family and friends of Hipolito.