SAMAR- ISANG tauhan ng Philippine Army-3rd Infantry Battalion ang nasawi habang isa pang kasamahan nito ang malubhang nasugatan nang sagupain ang armadong New Peoples Army terrorist group sa Barangay Gayondato, San Jorge sa lalawigang ito.
Sa ulat na ipinarating sa punong himpilan ng Philippine Army sa Fort Bonifacio, kinilala ang sundalo nasawi na si Corporal Reycon Remedio.
Dead on the spot si Cpl. Remedio na tubong Cariagara, Leyte nang mahagip ng punglo sa kaliwang bahagi ng kanyang ulo at Sugatan din ang isang kasamahan nito sa engkuwentro na tumagal ng halos 45 minuto.
Nabatid na tinutugis ng mga tauhan ng Army 3IB ang mga nalalabing miyembro ng Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) Browser, Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC) .
Kasalukuyang nasa area ang mga sundalo na nagsasagawa ng humanitarian mission sa ilalim ng Mobile Community Support Sustainment Program (MCSSP) sa barangay kaya isinumbong ng mga residente ang kinaroroonan ng mga NPA.
Ayon kay Lt Col. Fritz Montemor, commanding officer ng 3IB, “Our troops were deployed to the community to facilitate the delivery of basic services to improve socio-economic development in the area. The people want to live in peace, free from harassment and intimidation. Let us give peace a chance.”
Nagpahayag naman ng pakikidalamhati sa pamilya ng nasawing sundalo si Major General Camilo Z. Ligayo, commander ng AFP-8ID,
“It is unfortunate that another life was lost in the pursuit of peace. He offered his young life protecting the residents of Gayondato to attain lasting peace in Eastern Visayas. This will not deter our resolve to continue our sworn duty to ensure the safety and security of our communities. There will be no let-up in our operations. I further call on the remaining rebels to lay down their arms, avail themselves of the government’s peace program, and reunite with their families to live a peaceful life,”mariing pahayag Maj. Gen. Ligayo. VERLIN RUIZ
