Victorious NPA offensives
NPA launches successive tactical offensives in August
Eighteen soldiers were killed and at least five high-powered weapons seized in six successful tactical offensives launched by the NPA this August in various parts of the Philippines. Six soldiers were also wounded and five short arms confiscated, aside from other equipment.
In Quezon. Red fighters of the Apolonio Mendoza Command of the NPA attacked a Philippine Navy ship docked in Barangay Ungos, Real, Quezon and the nearby Philippine Coast Guard headquarters on August 19.
It was noontime when bullets suddenly rained on Patrol Fast Craft-352. Subsequently, the Coast Guard headquarters in Real, which was only 50 meters away from the naval station, was also attacked. The NPA confiscated an M60 light machine gun, a 9 mm, two .45s and two M16s.
Two soldiers were slain and five wounded in the raid, including the government's reinforcement troops.
In Oriental and Occidental Mindoro. Nearly two hours after the attack in Quezon, four elements of the 19th Special Forces Company were killed when a bomb was detonated under the jeep they were riding in Barangay Malitbog, Bongabong. Among those killed was 2Lt. Cayetano Curitana.
Two soldiers and a policeman were also killed in an NPA ambush in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro on August 20.
In Davao Oriental. Five troops of the Philippine Army 55th Engineering Brigade were killed in an ambush in Baganga, Davao Oriental on August 19. One more soldier was wounded in the ambush launched by the 2nd Pulang Bagani Company.
In Catanduanes. The NPA meted punishment on Chief Insp. Loreto Tablizo, deputy director of the provincial PNP. Tablizo had just stepped out of the cockpit in Barangay Valencia, Virac when he was ambushed by Red fighters.
In Negros Occidental. Three soldiers of the 11th IB, including an officer, were killed in an NPA ambush in Barangay Linuthangan, Canlaon City on August 6. Killed in the ambush were 1Lt. Geisson Regner, commanding officer of the 11th IB's Charlie Company, S/Sgt. Edwin Allen, detachment commander in Asay, La Castellana and another soldier. They were aboard a jeep headed towards Moises Padilla when they were ambushed. Seized were three M16s, a .45, cellphones, backpacks and boots.
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