Alleged NPAs kill 3 in daring attack on military camp

By Marie Tonette Marticio / Manila Bulletin

DARING ATTACK. Medical staff attend to one of the wounded moments after alleged New People’s Army (NPA) rebels attacked the camp of the 52nd Infantry Battalion Wednesday morning, July 7 in Sitio Cabatas, Barangay Jipapad Eastern Samar. (Photo courtesy Arteche Mayor Roland Evardone/MANILA BULLETIN)

TACLOBAN CITY – Three were confirmed dead, while four were reportedly wounded when a newly established military camp was attacked in Jipapad, Eastern Samar by suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) Wednesday morning (July 7).

Initial reports disclosed that one enlisted personnel of the 52nd Infantry Battalion and two members of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit were killed in action and about four more were wounded from the government side.

The troops were on their way to finish the construction of their new military camp.

However, when they were about 70 meters away, about 50 to 60 armed rebels detonated a land mine and subsequently fired at the soldiers at around 6:45a.m.

The firefight lasted for about 20 minutes, with undetermined casualties from the enemy side.

The wounded personnel were brought to a hospital in the nearby town of Arteche, also in Eastern Samar.

The police and army are currently conducting a follow-up operation to hunt down the perpetrators.