Pres. Aquino to visit wake of ambushed soldiers in Tuguegarao City, Ilagan

by Oliver T. Baccay

Tuguegarao City (14 July) — President Benigno Aquino III is set to arrive tomorrow in this city and Ilagan, Isabela to personally visit the wake of three (3) soldiers who were among the seven (7) killed in an ambush in Bontoc, Mountain Province last Friday.

The President is expected to arrive at 10 o?clock in the morning in this city to attend the wake of PFC Anthony Bunagan (26 years old) at Brgy. Cataggamman and leave the area at 10:30am to visit also the wake of Sgt. Melchor Castro (33y/o) at Brgy. Aggassian and PFC Camilo Topino (30y/o) at Brgy. Manaring both in Ilagan, Isabela.

The 3 were among the 7 soldiers killed in an ambush by suspected communist terrorists including a military officer in Sitio Sugit, Brgy. Samoki, Bontoc, Mountain Province.

The group of the 52nd Division Reconnaissance based at Saddle in Barangay Talubin, Bontoc, was on its way to conduct a medical mission in a nearby town scheduled for the weekend when they were ambushed.

Other fatalities were identified as 1st Lt. Lito H. Punio (28) of Mindanao; Corporal Cornelio Balmez (34) of Pangasinan; PFC Windez Gazingan (30) and PFC James Tio-an (25), both of Kalinga.

The ambush is the latest attacks carried out by the New Peoples Army (NPA) rebels in the province, one of the areas of concern by the military’s North Luzon Command.

The rebels carted away from the victims four M16 rifles and two M203 grenade launchers, among other firearms. (PIA 2)