Rebel sniper wounded in clash with army

A  member of the New People’s Army (NPA) believed to be the one who shot an army officer in an ambush early this month was wounded in an encounter with government troops Friday last week.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Rodrigo Sosmena, commanding officer of the
47th Infantry Battalion, two NPA rebels were wounded in the encounter in
Sitio Balas-Balasan, Barangay Manlocahoc in Bacolod City.

It was the second clash between the government troops and the NPA rebels in the area since January this year.

Sosmena said that civilians in the area informed military assets that Ka Ador sustained a gunshot wound in the left shoulder.

He said Ka Ador was identified to be among the NPA rebels who ambushed the team of Lt. Angelo Esguerra while the Army troopers were on their way to a peace and development project in an area adjacent in Cauayan town.

Ka Ador was pinpointed to be the NPA sniper who shot Esguerra who was then riding in the front seat of a military truck.

It can be recalled that Esguerra, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class 2010, succumbed to a lone gunshot wound in his left eye and was declared dead on arrival at the Kabankalan hospital.

He was supposed to get married to his pregnant girlfriend right after the graduation of his sibling from the PMA last March 18.

Sosmena said the government troops are still in pursuit of the group of Ka Ador in the area.

He said the NPA rebels are in a quandary how they can bring their wounded comrades to the hospital.

Army checkpoints were put up along the national highway from this city to check on vehicles coming out from the area.

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 SunStar.Com.Ph | March 28, 2012 | Article Link

3,000 to join peace march in Cauayan Thursday

ABOUT 3,000 participants are expected to join the march for peace in Cauayan town Thursday to condemn the recent ambush killing of 2nd Lieutenant Jose Angelo Esguerra of the 47th Infantry Battalion (47th IB) by suspected New People’s Army rebels.

The residents are reportedly concerned over the negative feedback about their place arising from the incident.

Based on the statement from the 303rd Brigade of the Philippine Army in the province, the March for Peace will start at 7:30 a.m. and will proceed to the Negros State College of Agriculture campus.

It will be participated in by students, women's groups, youth, farmers, members of the academe, church and military under the 47th IB.

The releasing of white balloons and doves signifying the people’s desire for peace will culminate the activity.

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Teresa Ellera | SunStar.Com.Ph | March 15,2012 | Article Link

Soldier ambushed in Negros Occidental

MANILA, Philippines – A junior officer of the Philippine Army was ambushed by an unidentified gunman in the town Cauayan, Negros Occidental on Tuesday.

According to Major General Jose Mabanta, 3rd Infantry Division commanding general, 2nd Lt. Angelito Esguerra was on his way back to base when he was gunned down by a sniper.

Esguerra was instantly killed in the attack.

Mabanta said there was no encounter between government forces and the assailant because they were not able to locate the gunman. He also said the gunman is a suspected member of the New People's Army.

Esguerra was a graduate of Philippine Military Academy class of 2010.

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Edwin Sevidal | dzMM | ABSCBN News Online | 03/06/2012 | Article Link