via Eunice Samonte
CAMP MELCHOR F DELA CRUZ, Upi, Gamu, Isabela – Another high powered firearm was added to the recovered firearms of 24th Infantry Battalion (24IB) at Sitio Labawan, Brgy. Danac East, Boliney, Abra on July 09, 2017.
According to Lt. Col. Thomas Dominic Baluga, Commander of 24IB, the retrieved firearm, which is a M16 Armalite rifle, was left by an NPA element at the house of a certain Ewag Juan while escaping after they encountered the troops of 24IB on July 01, 2017.
The total recovered high powered firearm related to the ongoing combat operations of 24IB has now reached eight, broken down as follows: 5-M16 Armalite Rifles, 1- M203 Grenade Launcher and 2-M14 Rifles. Two wounded amazons were also captured on July 1 and 6. They were identified as Adrienne Dawn Aguilar Aquino, 26 years old, a resident of Caloocan City and Regine Tadeo, 17 years old, a resident of Brgy Mataragan, Malibcong, Abra, respectively.
Maj. Gen. Paul T Atal, D.P.A. AFP, the Commander of 5ID and at the same time the Commander of Joint Task Force TALA, lauded the troops for their relentless efforts to clear the Province of Abra against the influence of the Communist Terrorists/ New People’s Army.
“With your effort, we are winning the war against communist terrorists in the Province of Abra. Don’t let your guards down, because these NPAs we are confronting may conduct retaliatory atrocities any time. Let us protect our people and their properties against this group [NPA] who are pretending to be pro-people,” MGen. Atal said. “Continue your vigilance of protecting the lives, liberty and property of the people of Abra,” Atal added.
