FORT RAMON MAGSAYSAY, Palayan City – Troopers honored on Sunday an Army corporal killed after a series of encounters with suspected New People’s Army rebels in Aurora last week.
“Corporal Caya deserves honor, respect and recognition for his sacrifices serving our country,’”said Lt. Col. Julito Recto Jr., commander of the Army’s 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion of Cpl. Noel F. Caya who was killed in action during a hot pursuit operation on June 9.
Recto vowed a continued operation “to perform to the fullest level its mission with the active participation of the local populace in support of the government’s campaign in ending the local communist armed conflict.”
Caya, he said, offered his life and made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the peace in Aurora province against “terrorist guerillas.”
According to military accounts, operating troops from the 91IB engaged suspected NPAs in the series of encounters in Barangay Punglo, Maria Aurora town starting around 10 a.m. on June 3.
The first encounter which lasted for five minutes, the Army said, saw an undetermined number of rebels wounded. Another exchange of fire with five NPAs who supposedly fled from the first site reportedly happened at around 1 p.m. of the same day which led to the discovery of a guerrilla lair.
“There was no casualty among the troops, while casualties on the rebels’ side are being determined after bloodstain was seen at the second encounter site,” the military said.
It was during the hot pursuit operation that lasted for six days that Caya was killed in action on June 9 in Sitio Sian, Pulang Lupa, Barangay Diteki, San Luis, Aurora, the army reported.
Recto, meanwhile, lauded the residents who reported the presence of the terrorists in their area. He assured the public that the Philippine Army and other security forces will continue to provide security to ensure the safety of the people of Aurora.
He urged the NPAs to lay down their weapons and join the government in serving the people if they are true to their claim that they are for the good of their countrymen.
The troops are still in the area scouring the place and continually conducting pursuit operations, added the army.
