Fatal Firefight in Mindoro Leaves Three Soldiers Dead

The clash between government troops and New People's Army (NPA) rebels in Baco, Oriental Mindoro, on Tuesday resulted in the deaths of three soldiers and wounding of three others. The firefight, which lasted over an hour, broke out at around 6 a.m. in Sitio Lantuyan, Barangay Dulangan 2, after troops from the 2nd Infantry 'Jungle Fighter' Division (2nd ID) launched an operation based on reports of NPA presence in the area. The operation was a follow-up to an Aug. 9 clash, in which soldiers recovered several weapons and supplies abandoned by fleeing rebels.

Key Takeaways:

• Three soldiers, including Army Captain Marky John Alberto, were killed in the firefight with NPA rebels in Baco, Oriental Mindoro.
• The slain soldiers were identified as Capt. Marky John Alberto, Cpl. Charlie Lagasi, and Pvt. Julian Oracion, all from the 1st Scout Ranger Regiment.
• The wounded soldiers were taken to nearby hospitals, but their conditions are not specified.
• The operation was a follow-up to an Aug. 9 clash, in which soldiers recovered several weapons and supplies abandoned by fleeing rebels.
• Maj. Gen. Ramon Zagala, acting commander of the 2nd ID, vowed to bring lasting peace to Mindoro and end the decades-long insurgency.
• Zagala also vowed to honor the memory of the fallen soldiers by continuing to press on with the mission to bring peace to the region.

Statistics:

• 3 soldiers were killed in the firefight.
• 3 soldiers were wounded in the firefight.
• The firefight lasted for over an hour.
• The operation was a follow-up to an Aug. 9 clash, in which soldiers recovered several weapons and supplies.
• Maj. Gen. Ramon Zagala-led 2nd ID has vowed to bring lasting peace to Mindoro by 2025.

Sources:

• Reports from Madonna T. Virola and Ire Joe V.C. Laurente.