DAGUPAN CITY – The 50th Infantry Battalion and the New People’s Army (NPA) clashed on Tuesday morning, April 2, in Barangay Nagcanasan, Pilar, Abra.
LOCATION of Pilar town in Abra province where an encounter between the New People's Army and soldiers occurred.
The 50th IB was conducting a security operation when they engaged members of the NPA-North Abra Guerilla Field Committee (KLG-North Abra) under the Ilocos Cordillera Regional Committee (ICRC) led by Maria Luisa Purcray, a native of Northern Mindanao.
The encounter lasted for about five minutes before the communist guerrillas withdrew. This band of NPA rebels was first monitored in the tri-boundaries of Abra-Kalinga-Apayao.
One soldier was reportedly wounded.
Major Gen. Audrey L. Pasia, commander of the 5th Infantry Division, said this is their fifth encounter with NPA in Abra this year.
Pasia added they are ready to implement their mandate to hunt down and dismantle them if they continue their terrorist activities.
PURCRAY in her wanted poster showing a sizeable reward.
He said this is their fifth encounter with the NPA in Abra this year.
Pasia said they continue to discover NPA encampments in the area daily. “This is proof that these rebels continue to evade authorities as a result of combat and social pressures being conducted by the Abra Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict."
The 5th ID that covers the Ilocos region said they welcome any NPA rebel willing to lay down their arms and return to the fold of the law.
Pilar Mayor Christopher Beroña said residents living near the encounter site have been evacuated to the municipal gymnasium.
Residents of the area urged prayers from netizens for their safety shortly after the gun battle erupted. (With a report from Freddie Lazaro)