An Army second lieutenant was killed in an attack by 30 suspected members of the New People’s Army in Davao Oriental Wednesday, the military disclosed yesterday.
Army Capt. Rhyan B. Batchar, spokesman and chief of the Army 10th Infantry Division-Public Affairs Office in Compostela Valley, identified the slain Army junior officer as 2nd Lt. Miguel Victor Alejo, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Sinag-lahi Class of 2015.
Alejo, according to Batchar, is from Nueva Ecija and Quezon City. Alejo’s remains were brought to St. Peter Funeral Homes in Panacan, Davao City yesterday morning.
Batchar said that based on reports he received, the attack occurred at 1:45 p.m. in Sitio Paliwason, Barangay Lambog, Manay, Davao Oriental.
Batchar said soldiers and policemen were on their way to Barangay Lambog to check reports from officials of Barangays Rizal and Lambog that an armed group threatened and intimidated the residents. The threats and intimidation have forced several residents to evacuate from their homes.
Batchar said barangay officials filed a blotter with the Manay Philippine National Police which prompted them to request security assistance from the 67th Infantry Battalion.
As the troops were making their way to Barangay Lambog, an estimated 30 armed men fired at the soldiers killing the junior officer. A brief firefight ensued between the two sides.
Following the encounter, troops recovered an M16 armalite rifle, an AK-47 assault rifle, and personal belongings of the NPAs.
“The police and soldiers went there to restore law and order that is being destroyed by the ALG suspected to be NPA rebels,” Batchar said.
“The 10th ID will continue to abide by the suspension of offensive operations but will not stop in providing security to the people being harassed and intimidated by these armed lawless groups,” he added. (Francis T. Wakefield)