BACOLOD CITY – A member of the Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB) based in Isabela, Negros Occidental was killed in an ambush staged by suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels at Sitio Compound, Barangay Luz in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, on Wednesday.
Slain was Cpl. Mark Anthony Quiocson of Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, according to police report.
Col. Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde), said that Quiocson was riding his motorcycle to render his duty as part of the Community Support Program (CSP) at Barangay Banuague in Guihulngan City, when about five armed men shot him past 5 p.m.
Pasaporte said that Quiocson succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds.
He said that Quiocson’s government issued .45-caliber gun and other personal belongings were allegedly stolen by the perpetrators, who fled towards the neighboring village.
“He (Quiocson) was probably targeted and monitored on his way back to Guihulngan City,” the 303rd IBde commander said.
Following the incident, Pasaporte ordered all battalion commanders to reiterate their reminder to all military troops to be extra careful and to not let their guards down.
“We know that we are at risk, but we should always remember to be very careful as the enemies are just waiting for opportunities,” he said.
He said that he was saddened about what happened, adding that Quiocson had a noble job to serve the people of Guihulngan through the government’s programs.
The ambush came two weeks after the military troops and the police engaged in a clash with the NPA in Mabinay, Negros Oriental on June 18, which killed five rebels. (Glazyl Masculino)