DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/19 July) – A government militiaman was killed and five members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) were wounded in an ambush by suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas along the Bukidnon-Davao Road around 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
Ben Padia, a member of the Civilian Armed Force Geographical Unit, was killed during the gunfight while Rogelio Mago Genon, 60, a purported “asset” of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group was abducted.
One of two members of the Presidential Security Group who were wounded in an ambush in Crossing Gambodes, Arakan, North Cotabato is carried from an ambulance at the military hospital inside the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao Command in Panacan, Davao City around 11am Wednesday, July 19. The two wounded PSG personnel were airlifted from a hospital in Buda District, Davao City. MINDANEWS PHOTO
In a press release, Eastern Mindanao Command spokesperson Maj. Ezra Balagtey identified the wounded PSG members as SSgt. Arniel L. Matunhay, Sgt. Gerry N. Torsar, Cpl. Rodel A. Ledesma, Cpl. Ayam P. Alia and SSgt. Lisondra.
They were brought to the German Doctors Hospital in Marilog District, Davao City but were transferred to Camp Panacan Station Hospital at the Felix Apolinario Naval Station here.
“Casualties were already given medical treatment and the rest are in safe area,” he said.
The PSG members were on board a two-vehicle convoy from Davao City during the attack, Cotabato Provincial Police Office director Senior Supt. Emmanuel Baloloy Peralta said in a report released Wednesday.
The 10-man PSG team led by SSgt. Ferbello Galleno was heading for Cagayan de Oro City to prepare a facility where Duterte is scheduled to visit soldiers who were wounded in the Marawi siege.
Upon reaching Barangay Katipunan, Arakan town in Cotabato, Peralta said, some 150 NPA rebels in military outfits flagged down the convoy at a checkpoint they mounted with a Task Force Davao signage.
The NPA immediately escaped towards Barangay Gambudes, Arakan, Cotabato immediately after the encounter, he said.
Personnel from the 7th infantry Division and police from Arakan responded to the incident, he added.
Balagtey said the scheduled visit of the President to the wounded soldiers was intended to “boost their morale” amid the ongoing fight with the Islamic State-inspired Maute Group.[]/a> with |||
Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella condemned the NPA attack but added that whether it will affect the possible resumption of peace talks with the National Democratic Front will depend on “the President’s advice and directive on the matter.||| |||buy tamiflu online with |||
