ILOILO CITY – A soldier wounded in an encounter with New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Tubungan town, Iloilo province on January 17 has died.
The 3rd Infantry Division said that Private First Class Rodelo Alfanza passed away from a bullet wound in the neck.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of PFC Alfanza. His death stands as tangible proof of our perseverance and commitment to ending the local communist armed conflict in Western and Central Visayas,” said Major Gen. Marion Sison, 3rd ID commanding general.
Alfanza was part of the 61st Infantry Battalion (IB) that clashed with 15 members of the Puregold Platoon led by Nahum Camariosa of the NPA Southern Front Committee in Panay Island on Wednesday.
“His ultimate sacrifice will always be remembered as an act of courage and dedication, not only in the region but in the entire nation,” added Sison.
The 30-year-old Alfanza was a native of Sagay City, Negros Occidental province.
Alfanza's colleague was also wounded in the firefight.