4 soldiers wounded in Isabela

ISABELA, Philippines – At least 4 soldiers were wounded by a landmine in Bgy Ibujan, San Mariano, Isabela during an encounter with communist rebels in the early morning of Friday, February 15.

The soldiers were part of the Army’s 86th Infantry Battalion who were conducting security operations ahead of the May 2013 elections. They received reports members of the communist New People's Army (NPA) were conducting extortion activities in the area. At around 1:00 am, they engaged rebels in a 30-minute firefight, according to Col Loreto Magundayao Jr of the 5th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office.

The army believes the landmine was planted by the communist rebels. They recovered used landmine detonating cords along with a magazine for an M16 rifle.

The wounded soldiers were evacuated to the nearest hospital and are in stable condition. The army is conducting "hot pursuit operations" against the rebels, according to a press statement.

The use of self-destructing landmines and other indiscriminate booby traps are prohibited under Protocol II of the 1980 Geneva Convention.

The Philippine military has repeatedly criticized the NPA for its continued use of landmines. The NPA claims that it only uses command-detonated explosives, which are not prohibited by the convention.

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Rappler.com | February 16, 2013 |

Article Link:
http://www.rappler.com/nation/21922-4-soldiers-wounded-in-isabela

New Army vice chief named

MANILA, Philippines -- A general with extensive experience in mechanized units, has been named the new vice commander of the Philippine Army.

Brigadier General Essel Soriano, a member of Philippine Military Academy “Matapat” Class of 1979, replaces his classmate, Major General Renato David, who has retired.

Soriano received his baptism of fire as a lieutenant in the 2nd Light Armor Company of the Light Armor Battalion in Luzon. After this, he commanded the 4th and 1st Light Armor Companies.

He also led the 503trd Infantry Brigade of the 5th Infantry Division and then was with the General Staff of the Army Reserve Command.

In 2000, he headed the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion, Light Armor Brigade and from 2001-2002, commanded Task Force Sagittarius and Task Force Cotabato in Mindanao.

He was then appointed assistant commander of the Light Armor Division.

He has served on foreign assignments as Armed Forces representative during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom from 2003 to 2005.

Soriano has received six Bronze Cross Medals and various Military Merit Medals.

He was has also been awarded the Distinguished Service Star.

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Jaime Sinapit | InterAksyon.com | August 13, 2012 | Article Link

Army to conduct symposium on security awareness to high school students

CABARROGUIS, Quirino, Feb. 27 (PIA) -- To enlighten the youth about the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF), the 502nd Infantry (Liberator) Brigade, 5ID, Philippine Army has proposed the conduct of a symposium on security awareness in all secondary schools of the province.

Col. Reynaldo H. Labanen of the Philippine Army said the theme of the symposium is “Information is the Best Weapon Against Deception,” and they have conceptualized it to instill the value of nationalism among the youth and to prevent their eventual recruitment to the CPP-NPA-NDF.

Col. Labanen said a symposium schedule for each school per municipality has been prepared but they have yet to coordinate with the different secondary school principals to determine the final schedule.

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TCB-PIA 2

By Thelma C. Bicarme

Monday 27th of February 2012

Philippine Information Agency

Article Link

Ailing NPA leader yields

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines  – A communist leader in the Cordillera region surrendered to Army officers of the Isabela-based 5th Infantry Division last Jan. 2.

Reports identified the rebel leader as Arnel Balucas, alias Layab, political officer of the Kilusang Larangang Northeast of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) based in Abra province.

Balucas is also the concurrent head of the local education committee and commanding officer of the NPA’s Sandatahang Yunit Propaganda in Abra.

The rebel leader, who yielded a firearm, was reportedly suffering from a still undisclosed illness and needed immediate medical attention.  

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By Charlie Lagasca The Philippine Star Updated January 10, 2012 12:00 AM

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