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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider Classes, fiesta event suspended following firefight in Abra

Classes, fiesta event suspended following firefight in Abra

Published Apr 3, 2024 02:43 am

SANTA MARIA, Ilocos Sur – Classes were suspended on Wednesday, April 3, in Pilar, Abra and the activities on Tuesday night, April 2, in the 2nd Balicucha Festival here were cancelled following an encounter between the 50th Infantry Battalion and the New People’s Army (NPA) in the boundary of Barangay Nagcanasan, Pilar, and Barangay Babal-lasioan, Santa Maria.

ABRA CLASH.jpg

MAP of the encounter site in Abra

Army Major Bryan Albano, head of the civil-military operations office of the 501st Infantry Brigade, said the encounter erupted at about 11:50 a.m. on Tuesday, followed by four successive firefights and an airstrike.

Albano said that one soldier was wounded in the encounter.

Troops are scouring the area for NPA remnants. “Our troops on ground are currently scouring the site of the encounter to look on if there are casualties or left war materials from the NPA side,” said Albano.

Troops engaged undetermined number of NPA rebels from the Komiteng Larangang Guerrilla-North Abra (KLG North Abra) of the Ilocos Cordillera Regional Committee (ICRC) headed by Maria Luisa Purcray, a native of Northern Mindanao.

The group was first monitored lurking in the tri-boundaries of Abra-Kalinga-Apayao.

To ensure the safety of the residents and students of Pilar, Mayor Tyron Christopher Beroña issued Executive Order No. 27, Series of 2024, suspending classes on all levels on April 3.

“The suspension of classes from primary to secondary levels is our precautionary and proactive measure in anticipating of any untoward incident in relation to the foregoing and to safeguard the learners and school personnel from physical dangers,” the mayor said.

On Tuesday, Beroña spearheaded the evacuation of all residents living near the encounter site to the gymnasium in the town center for their safety.

The evacuees were given the necessary assistance from the local government unit.

The LGU here cancelled the education night of the festival due to the encounter. At least 150 residents of Barangay Gusing living near the encounter site were evacuated to the barangay court and were given assistance from the municipal and provincial government of Ilocos Sur.

Brig. Gen. Ferdinand Melchor dela Cruz, commander of the 501st Infantry Brigade, thanked Beroña for swiftly evacuating residents living near the encounter site for their safety.

Dela Cruz reiterated his call for the NPA to surrender for lasting peace and development.

All police stations in Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, and La Union have been advised to establish checkpoints to apprehend fleeing rebels.

Lawmen were also ordered to check hospitals in the region for any rebel brought in relation to the encounter. (With a report from Zaldy Comanda and Liezle Basa-Inigo)

Related Tags

Santa Maria Encounter New People's Army Ilocos Sur Abra
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