12 Killed in Action, 12 Wounded in Recent NPA Harassment

November 13, 2009

by: striker_jem

Butuan – On November 11, 2009 at 8:30 am SCAA members under the Command of Capt Ignacio Paje, SCAA Sector Command, guarding the Surigao Development Corporation (SUDECOR) equipment located at Km 31, Sitio Baknalon, Brgy Pakwan, Lanuza, Surigao del Sur were harassed by undetermined number of Communist Terrorist (CTs).

Subsequently, the CTs burned the two units of yarder; six units of raker, four units of bulldozer; and undetermined number of chainsaw owned by SUDECOR.

Immediately after a joint AFP-PNP reinforcement team from 58th IB led by Col. Tomasito Grafe, retired Philippine Army and Security Officer of SUDECOR responded to the incident to assist the besieged Special Civilian Auxiliary Army (SCAA) sector Command under Captain Paje.

The team while approaching kilometer 17, Brgy Pakwan, Lanuza, Surigao del Sur were ambushed and land mined that killed PO2 Rodulfo Randy Medrano, 1405th PPMG member assigned in Surigao del Sir Police Provincial Office, SCAA member Dionesito Luces, two security officer of SUDECOR Edmundo Careño and Hilarion Agudo and eight 58IB members namely: PFC Kenneth Bactong, CPL Gartin Plaza, CPL Mohamad Kair Abdurasic, PFC Dennis Garfin, PVT Charles Orit, PFC Charlito Pico, PVT Traul Paquibot, PFC Jose Belascuan.

Those wounded in action were identified as SPO1 Luis Gorrero Alcasar, of the 1405th PPMG, Retired Col Tomasito Grafe, Chief, Security Officer of SUDECOR and 10 members of the 58IB namely PFC Joebert Cabuyao, PFC Rollie Altaya, Arvie Melida, Robinson Aninag, Rico Macabangon, PFC Roy Dagatan, PFC Joendel Hulgansa, PVT Dennis Ordinan and PVT Joel Natividad.

Several firearms of different kinds were reportedly carted away by the CTs during the incidents and hot pursuit operation was conducted.

Meanwhile, Spokesperson of the Front 30 Pulang Diwata Command North Eastern Mindanao Region Sandara Sidlakan admitted they’re responsible for the said harassment and ambush.

They also claimed to have carted away from the SCAA two units of M14, five garand and six carbine rifles.

“SUDECOR should stop timber poaching in Surigao del Sur. What was left now is only 3,000 hectares of the total 69 hectares virgin forest and unless they stop the logging concession, we continue to fight to protect the environment,” said Sidlakan.