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3 AFP men dead, 3 wounded in NPA-Kalinga ambush

BAGUIO CITY (June 9) — Three Philippine Army elements died while three more were wounded in an offensive launched by the Lejo Cawilan Command-New People’s Army (NPA) in Kilayon, Balantoy, Balbalan in Kalinga province on May 22 at 5:30 a.m.

2nd Lt. Eric Bulatao, Sgt. Romeo Paloran, and Pfc. Joseph Gallamoy died in the firefight while Cpl. Jerry Ballad, Pfc. Arnold Gamboa, and Pfc. Clifford Banatao were wounded. In an emailed statement, the NPA claimed that there were on casualties on its side. The NPA carted with them two M-16s.

LCC-NPA Spokesperson Ka Tipon Gil-ayab said that the offensive served to grant revolutionary justice to the Kalinga people who suffered from human rights violations under the Army. The case of red fighter Ka Awi was specifically cited.

Ka Awi was unarmed when taken by the military. He was beaten, tortured, and stabbed several times before being shot to death.

Gil-ayab said that Ka Awi’s capture was facilitated through a Pfc. Geronimo Caymo. 1st Lt. Benito Ramos, commanding officer of the 21st IB Charlie Company, 2nd Lt. Arvin G. Encinas, and 2nd Lt. Robert Dumpao. Dumpao is an integree from the paramilitary group Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CPLA) who is responsible for the death of Ama Daniel Ngayaan, a martyr of the Cordillera people’s mass movement.

The NPA also reported that Bulatao was involved in the harassment, interrogation, and illegal arrest of several civilians in Balbalan and Pinukpuk.

The LCC vowed to punish the “fascist AFP” with the escalation of militarization in Kalinga.

In a tribute, the Kalinga people constructed a cross where Ka Awi was slain, with the inscription “Ka Awi, Rosas ng Digma (November 2, 2004)”. # via NORDIS

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