CAMP DANGWA, Benguet -- The Police Regional Office-Cordillera (PROCOR) strongly condemned the ambush of two military personnel by the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) while preparing for the conduct of Disaster Response Operation in Barangay Gacab, Malibcong, Abra on Thursday morning, Oct. 27.
The two soldiers who were members of the Philippine Army’s 24th Infantry Battalion died in the ambush that also resulted in the wounding of another individual.
PROCOR regional director BGen. Mafelino Bazar said he immediately ordered the deployment of police in neighboring areas to conduct interdiction operations to catch the possible culprits.
The two Army troopers were reportedly set to join a Disaster Response Operation (DRO) to help those affected by the earthquake that hit the province of Abra on the night of Oct. 25.
“It is heartbreaking to know that we have once again lost two lives of our brothers, and while we sympathize with their families, we also call for justice and peace,” Bazar said.
"We vowed to be the protectors of peace and defenders of the weak, but we also needed cooperation and help from the public, to those who know about this brutal incident, we are calling for your help to bring justice to those victims,' Bazar added.