Three soldiers were killed when suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels attacked their detachment in Solon, Asturias, Cebu, a military report said yesterday.
The guerrillas, numbering around 50, swooped down on the Army detachment in the hinterland village of Solon, Asturias, Cebu, 560 kilometers south of Manila, late Saturday.
The military report said soldiers fought back, but were outnumbered by the guerrillas, resulting in the death of three troopers.
Some of the troops assigned at the detachment were on civic duty when the attack occurred, the report added.
Additional troops have been dispatched to hunt down the rebels.
Communist rebels have stepped up attacks on government and military targets in recent weeks amid the continued suspension of peace talks. (DPA)
Mobile passporting set
BAYAMBANG, Pangasinan — Mayor Leocadio "Boy" C. de Vera Jr. of this town said yesterday that a mobile passporting activity will be conducted by the Region 1 (Ilocos) DFA Consular Office here on Nov. 12-13.
De Vera, in a letter to Eriberto C. Castillo, interim director of the Region 1 DFA Consular Office based in San Fernando City, La Union, said that hundreds of his constituents from the 77 barangays of this municipality will benefit once a mobile passporting activity will be held.
He said that it will help his constituents save time, effort, and money. "This will be a rare opportunity that the DFA Consular Office will be coming over to initiate a mobile passporting to serve my constituents wishing to get a passport for travel or employment abroad."
De Vera thanked Castillo for setting the mobile passporting at the earliest possible date. "During the first day, all applications for new, renewal, or lost passport will be entertained and release will be done on the second day."
He advised his constituents who want to get a passport to come and inquire at his office the necessary requirements and fees in obtaining a passport. "Only the first 600 registrants will be served." (Fa Sison Almazan)
Nat’l security issues tackled
The Asian Institute of Strategic Studies Inc. (AISSI) led by chairman retired Gen. Guillermo A. Pecache held its regular monthly meeting on Oct. 12 at the Fonacier Hall (UPAA Alumni Center), Magsaysay Ave., University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City.
National issues were tackled in the meeting, and a discussion on how destabilizing factors in society may be managed by the present leadership. A paper, "Managing Destabilization," was unanimously endorsed by AISSI for public sharing and dissemination.
During the meeting, Resolution Number 05-03 of the Business, Industry, and Retired Cavaliers Inc. (BIRCI) of the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association was discussed. The resolution stated a strong position on the controversial Executive Order No. 464 that affected retired Brig. Gen. Francisco Gudani and Lt. Col. Alexander Balutan, and its ramifications.
Resolution Number 0503 of the BIRCI was strongly endorsed by the AISSI for wide public dissemination.
