82IB foils attempted NPA ambush. Landmines recovered

Camp Peralta, Jamindan, Capiz--- A day after an encounter between the Army troopers and the NPA’s Southern front in Brgy Igcabugao, Igbaras, Iloilo, a platoon of soldiers from 82nd Infantry Battalion’s Charlie Company led by 1LT Pete Malaluan, while conducting hot pursuit operations, recovered two Improvised Explosive Device – Anti-Personal Landmines laid along the probable line of attack by our soldiers in an attempted ambush. The IED was connected to a switchbox 10 meters from the hastily abandoned landmines. The landmines were intended to maim and kill the pursuing troops to cover the escape of the fleeing NPA who initiated the attack yesterday.

The recoveries of the two IED Landmines indicate that the enemy intended to ambush our soldiers. However, our troops’ vigilance, presence of mind, and tactical prowess are evident when they assaulted the NPA from a different direction, foiling their plans to do our soldiers harm.


Our intelligence reports reveal that the New People's Army will escalate their illegal and terrorist activities in areas where they are losing support and influence as the date of their founding anniversary nears. The NPA will be celebrating their 41st year of sowing terrorism and fear in the hearts of innocent, peace-loving civilians on March 29. Just a week ago, a similar encounter occurred in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental with the 62nd Infantry (Unifier) Battalion, who clashed with twenty Communist Terrorist leaving six dead NPAs and the recovery of three high powered firearms in their wake.


According to LTC George Joel Lalaquil of the 82IB, “Abandoned IEDs already laid down and were left behind also indicate the NPA’s desperation amidst the pressure of their leadership to elevate their Tactical Offensives to a higher level. They’re failure to execute their plan and the abandonment of their equipment indicates a disgruntled and disorganized enemy under a weak leadership.”


It was also found that the enemy occupied a civilian house while they fired upon our soldiers. “This only shows that they are continuing to put innocent civilians in harm’s way by using them as human shields. We congratulate our Army troopers for their professionalism by putting their own lives just to ensure the safety of the Igcabugaonons,” Lalaquil added.


Other items recovered from the ambush site were batteries, an abandoned Sim Card, scattered leftover “puso” rice, and empty shells of 5.56mm ACP 99 Ammunition that is conventionally purchased in commercial gun stores.


According to Major General Vicente M Porto of the 3ID, “The NPA's Southern Front in Panay Island is hopelessly clinging to Igbaras but the residents themselves are the ones saying that they are unwelcome. The NPA's recent actions in Western Visayas betray their desperation and incapability to conduct decisive operations against our soldiers.


The 3ID will continue to stay vigilant to prevent these terrorists from further disrupting our peaceful way of life.”