Nine soldiers were killed while nine others were wounded in tactical offensives mounted by the New People’s Army (NPA) in the provinces of Abra, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Bohol and Bukidnon in the past weeks. In addition, 16 other soldiers were reportedly killed in NPA operations in the island of Negros last March.

The NPA-Bohol ambushed CAFGU elements under the command of the 47th IB in Barangay Aloja, Batuan last April 26. Two paramilitary elements were reportedly killed.

In Abra, a CAFGU element was killed in Barangay Poblacion, Lacub last April 24. In Sorsogon, another CAFGU element who serves as intelligence agent for the 31st IB was killed in Barangay Sta. Cruz, Barcelona on April 23.

In Bukidnon, the NPA launched a harassment operation against the 8th IB troopers securing the construction company UBI at Purok 6, Barangay San Roque, Quezon on April 20. One soldier was killed and three were wounded.

Four elements of the 96th IB were killed and five others were wounded in a counter-attack moun­ted by the NPA-Camarines Sur in Barangay Del Carmen in Lagonoy last April 5. After this, the NPA also blasted a military truck carrying enemy reinforcement.

IN NEGROS ORIENTAL, Red fighters ambushed operating troops of the 62nd IB in Mabanga, Barangay Bagtik, La Libertad in the morning of March 15. Fifteen soldiers were killed and nine others were wounded during the 30-minute firefight. In Negros Occidental, a soldier was killed during an NPA attack against a CAFGU detachment in Barangay Sikatuna, Isabela on March 7.