“The people were afraid of the explosions all over the place. We can even hear the explosions from here in the barangay hall,” Senonis said. He said the explosions started at 10 a.m. and lasted until 3 p.m., with an hour-long lull at noon time.
MindaNews came across a farmer and his wife who both had bruised legs after jumping off a shallow cliff as they hurriedly left their home to avoid being hit in the bombing raid. Noel (not his real name), said he had to jump off the cliff while holding one of his children. His wife and the rest of the children jumped, too.
The wounded among the Scout Rangers were identified as Captain Mark Steve T. Cimini, Cpl Mabel Sacayan, Pfc Josel P. Sedrome and Pfc Henry M. Simba.
Osias said that members of the 6th Scout Ranger Company engaged NPA rebels in a firefight at the vicinity of Zapanta Valley at 11:12 a.m. last Sunday. The three soldiers wounded during the clash were immediately “medevacked” aboard UH-1H Huey helicopter to Butuan City for treatment.
Shortly after, another encounter took place in Sitio Maribuhok, also in Barangay Bangayan, where the lone Ranger fatality was killed and yet another wounded as government troops encountered an undetermined number of NPAs.
Policemen from the Caraga Regional Mobile Group and Kitcharao Police Station immediately set up check points at road junctions in Barangay Haliobong and Barangay Kanaway and in the highway junction in Tubay town, also in Agusan del Norte, while soldiers from the 30th Infantry Battalion established additional checkpoints in Barangay Bangayan and Barangay Mara-iging.
“ As far as police work is concerned, we are ready and prepared for any situation,” said Insp. Charlito M. Duero, Kitcharao police chief.
Osias said that military operations under the guidance of Maj. Gen. Victor Felix, 4ID commanding general, will continue until those responsible for the burning in Claver in the neighboring province of Surigao del Norte are brought to justice.
The NPA attacked three mining firms in Claver early last month, burning mining equipment worth hundreds of millions of pesos.[]
The rebel group said it was a punishment against the mining companies for destroying the environment.[]
