Army captured Amazon rebel in a clashed with NPA

GAMU, Isabela, August 5, 2011-The Philippine Army reported that the operating elements of Charlie Company of 17^th Infantry Battalion led by 2Lt Arial G Siladan encountered a group of fully armed rebels under Lolito Raza, alias ka Lanlan/ched at Barangay Iringan, Allacapan, Cagayan.

Colonel Miguel T Puyao Jr., spokesman of the 5^th Infantry Division, Philippine Army said that the firefight lasted for almost ten (10) minutes after which the New People’s Army (NPA) withdrew towards different direction leaving behind their captured comrade amazon identified as Magda Limadan around 5:30 in the morning last sunday.

Melchor F dela Cruz Monument, Gamu, Isabela.

Corporal John Pagtud was reportedly slightly wounded and was immediately evacuated at Matilde District Hospital, Lal-lo, Cagayan for proper medical treatment.

Puyao said that the ensuing firefights at the encountered site resulted to the recovery of one (1) homemade shotgun and two (2) homemade short 12 gauges while the captured amazon was given humane treatment by the operating troops as advocates of the human rights law.

He said that clearing operation is still going on in the encountered site. (Jason de Asis)

5th Infantry Division training for 123 army recruits begins

GAMU, Isabela, August 5, 2011-At least 123 army recruits are now in the rigid training for the Candidate Soldier Course Class 275-11 led by the 5^th Infantry Division, Philippine Army which started Tuesday at the Division Training Unit.

BGen Mario A Mendoza, Assistant Division Commander said that the new Candidate Soldiers that they have chosen came from the thousands of aspirants during their pre-qualifying phase of recruitment process.  “They posses the best characteristics that the command seeks among them to qualify in the three (3) months of rigorous training,” he said, adding that their training is challenging and their trainers will give them the best training. 

“Newly recruits in the army are now expose to difficult trials to test their endurance and presence of mind and also to encourage them to be the best in handling difficult situations with confidence,” Mendoza explained.

In his message during the opening ceremony, Mendoza urged the recruits to remain united and committed in learning the basics of soldiery as expected from them, saying that the trainees will survive the challenges in the army and inculcate to their mind that the deserving candidates soldiers will be the protectors of the state and our countrymen.

Earlier, the recent opening ceremony of CSC class 275-11 were witnessed by the parents, visitors, officers, enlisted personnel and civilian employees of the command led by Col Raul V Bautista, Chief of Staff of the 5ID. (Jason de Asis)