TACLOBAN CITY- A convoy of Army personnel from the 20th Infantry Battalion were attacked by members of New People’s Army (NPA) in Catubig town, Northern Samar while they were on their way to help residents of a village of the said town hit by a flooding caused by typhoon ‘Urduja’.
Two soldiers, Corp. Yzael Laure and Private First Class Roland Gomez were wounded in the attacked by about 50 NPA members in Barangay Hinagoyonon on December 16.
Lt. Michelle Estares, information officer of the 20th IB, said that the soldiers were on their way to Hinagoyonon when they were waylaid and attacked by the rebels in Brgy. San Miguel.
“This resulted in a firefight that lasted for more than an hour,” Estares said.
Col. George Domingo, commanding officer of 20th IB strongly condemns the attack by NPA members to the military who were on their way to the area to rescue civilians affected by massive flooding in the town.
“This activity is a clear violation of the International Humanitarian Law and we call upon the people to act against these atrocities,” Col Domingo said.
A total of 7,500 families or 28, 900 individuals from 47 villages of the town were affected by widespread flooding due to heavy rain caused by Urduja.
The municipal council of Catubig has declared the town under state of calamity. (ROEL T.AMAZONA)
