Commando recovered 2 firearms and 1 body count against NPA

By 2Lt. MALINCHE Y. TOMARONG (INF) PA
May 12, 2006

ORMOC CITY, Leyte  –  Hot pursuit operations of the 19th Infantry (Commando) Battalion, in response to the recent terror acts by the Communist Terrorist (CT) NPA against this unit in sitio Sandayong, Bgy. Hibuluangan, Villaba, Leyte on May 6, 2006, resulted to a clash between operating troops from this unit and a group of CTs in the vicinity of Sitio Pikas, Barangay Donghol of Ormoc City.

Acting on information from the people, LtC. Lope C. Dagoy PA, CO, 19IB immediately organized a company size unit to conduct hot pursuit operation against the CTs who were reported to be resting in an encampment in said place. And on May 8, 2006, the Commando troopers led by 2Lt. Lago PA, as lead platoon while on the way to the reported site, noticed an unusual presence of a plastic water pipe leading to a small and vegetated hill. Upon orders, the troops crawled towards the said hill and thereupon they saw the presence of few CTs acting as sentries of what was later known to be their elaborate dugged-in (tunnel) camp.

At about 10:10 a.m., the troops seized the area when the CTs managed to noticed their presence. Firefight ensued that lasted for about forty five (45) minutes when the CTs numbering about 30 eventually abandoned their camp leaving behind one (1) dead CT carrying with them their wounded comrades.

Recovered from the said encampment were as follows: two (2) 5.56mm M16 rifle, two (2) improvised mines, one (1) improvised home made anti-personnel mine (PUGAS), one hundred (100) mtrs. electrical wires, one (1) communist flag (2X2 mtrs), one (1) communist flag (2X1 mtrs), twenty (20) rounds live ammo for 5.56mm M16 rifle, one (1) jungle pack, one (1) 15 kilos undetermined NPK & Ammonium nitrate mixture, two (2) pcs kerosene stove, one (1) pc canteen water, one (1) roll electrical wire, other personal belongings and voluminous subversive documents of high intelligence value.

This CT group where believed to be part of the group that waylaid our troops in Brgy Hibuluangan, Villaba who was led by alias Maning and alias Bagang/Karpo. The barbaric act of burning our vehicle and our trooper, the late Cpl Felipe Ramirez did not in any way demoralize the Commando Troopers, instead it further inspired the troops with zeal and devotion to run after all the CTs in our area of operation. The participation of the people through giving of relevant information complements our effort and once again proved to be very effective and successful.

LtC. Dagoy, urges the people to continue reporting the presence of the CTs in their communities and all their terroristic actions in the barangays and in the urban areas in order to effectively neutralize this menace in our society for our people to enjoy the peace and the prospect for economic growth and development that they truly deserved.

Again to those whose relatives are still active communist terrorist CPP/NPA members convince them to surrender and return to the folds of the law before it is too late.