The military is continuing its pursuit operations against those who encountered its troops believed to be a group of New People's Army rebels under the Komiteng Larangang Gerilya North Abra in the neighborhood of Barangay Pacqued, Malibcong, Abra.
In an interview, Major Rogelio Dumbrique Jr., Civil Military Operations Officer of the 7th Infantry Division, Philippine Army said the encounter resulted in the death of 2LT ZALDY V LAPIS from Iloilo City.
He said the soldiers received a series of information from concerned citizens of Barangay Pacqued about the armed group who regularly go to their barangay to recruit and carry out extortion.
As a result, the 24th Infantry Battalion and 72nd Division Reconnaissance Company responded with a security patrol in the mountains of the said barangay to verify the reports.
However, here they have already encountered about 15 NPA members where the encounter lasted for about one and a half hours.
The military, on the other hand, thanked the people of Abra for providing information on the illegal activities of the rebels in their area, showing that the Abreños do not agree with the presence of communist rebels in their province.
Meanwhile, Major General Alfredo V. Rosario Jr. PA, Commander of the 7th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, led the Departure Honors for the late 2LT ZALDY V LAPIS whose remains on board SN 212I aircraft of the Philippine Air Force will be flown to his hometown in Dingle, Ilo-ilo province where he will soon be laid to rest.
