Innocent mother and son, and four soldiers blast with anti-personnel mine by CNTs in Catarman, Northern Samar

By 43rd Infantry Battalion, 8ID PA
December 18, 2018

LOPE DE VEGA, Northern Samar – Troops of 43IB, 8ID, PA who delivered food intended for the soldiers of Charlie Company 43IB at Brgy. Mckinley, Northern Samar who are conducting Community Support Program (CSP) operations in the said barangay, while riding on one light ace civilian vehicle of the said unit traversing the road towards Catarman proper were hit by an anti-personnel mine and fired upon by more or less 15 Communist New People’s Army Terrorists (CNTs) at vicinity in-between Brgy Hinatad and Brgy Mckinley of same municipality at around 11:35 in the morning yesterday.

Anti-personnel mine were detonated first followed by volumes of fire of different caliber, forcing them to retaliate, the firefight lasted for about five minutes, which resulted to the wounding of four soldiers and two innocent civilians passing on that area, after which the CNTs withdrew towards different direction.

The victims were identified as Pvt Rolly B Dizon (Inf) PA, Pfc Rorey O Montopar (Inf) PA, Pvt Joel Lacabe (Inf) PA, and Cpl Jose Jerome L Ballano (Inf) PA, all endured minor wounds. Furthermore, the identified mother and son, Sherly Robenacio, 35 years old and Christian Robenacio, 17 years old, of Brgy. Hinatad, Catarman, Northern Samar were reportedly wounded in the incident.

The injured soldiers were brought to the nearest hospital for immediate medical treatment and already recovering. Moreover, the wounded civilians were already in the Northern Samar Provincial Hospital and were assisted by 43IB troops.

From the point of Cornillo Robenacio, husband and father of the wounded civilians, there were no good things that CNTs may bring to the people; they are just giving problems and headaches to the innocent.

According to LTC Apollo B Herrera INF (GSC) PA Commanding Officer of 43rd IB, the incident that transpired in the area was brought not only misery but also caused panic to the innocent civilians particularly the use of violence and enemy atrocities distorting the lives of the local folks. Moreover, the unit will not observe Christmas break to ensure the safety of its area of operation and to prepare for other possible violent move of the CNTs. The unit will plan different and massive tactical operations, and will file both human rights violation and criminal cases against the CNTs.

The 43rd IB call the attention of Nortehanons to condemn the barbaric act done by the Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs) particularly in using anti-personnel mines and other terroristic atrocities actions in Northern Samar.