Philippine Army troopers in southern Negros Oriental have continued massive military operations against the rebel New People’s Army following Tuesday’s encounter that killed a Scout Ranger company commander and wounded another.
Col. Manuel Ochotorena, commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade said Philippine Army troops are still pursuing the suspected NPA rebels in Sta. Catalina town and adjacent areas in southern Negros Oriental, after Capt. Wilson Montenegro, company commander of the 2nd Scout Ranger Company of the 1st SR Battalion was killed in action.
Another Scout Ranger soldier, PFC Rocky Javier, of the 1st SR Company, was also wounded in the clash between government troops and rebel forces in the vicinity of Sitio Avocado in Barangay Talalak, Sta. Catalina.
Two Philippine Air Force attack helicopters were deployed Wednesday from the nearby Mactan Air Base in Cebu to provide support to the Philippine Army, such as ferrying troops and re-supply of logistics, said Col Ochotorena.
The PAF aircraft, an MG-520 from the 15th Strike Wing and a UH-1H from the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing, however, failed to carry out their mission on Wednesday morning due to bad weather and zero visibility. (PNA) JFP