ILOILO CITY – A soldier was killed and another was wounded in an encounter between the 82nd Infantry Battalion (IB) and the New People’s Army (NPA) in Sitio Agdalusan, Barangay Jayobo, Lambunao, Iloilo on Tuesday, September 19.
The Army withheld the names of the casualty and wounded soldier pending official notification of their families.
“We extend our deepest sympathy to the family of our comrade who lose his life in line of duty. Another hero sacrificed his life desiring to give peace a chance,” said Brig. Gen. Michael Samson, commander of the 301st Infantry Brigade (IB) that oversees Panay Island.
The 82nd IB was in the area responding to information from residents that communist guerrillas were extorting as well as forcibly taking food supplies from residents when the encounter with the Baloy Platoon of the NPA Central Front Committee in Panay occurred.
The gun battle lasted for 10-minute until the rebels withdrew.
Troops are conducting hot-pursuit operations against the fleeing rebels.