FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila - The Philippine Army mourns the death of two soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice in an encounter with CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNT) in Brgy. Diaat, Maria Aurora, Aurora on April 21, 2020.
The Scout Platoon from the 91st Infantry Battalion, 7th Infantry Division, while conducting a security patrol in the vicinity of Barangay Diaat, Maria Aurora, Aurora in relation to the distribution of the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) Special Amelioration Program (SAP) were fired upon and treacherously killed by the CNTs, which led to the death of Pfc. Ken Lester I. Sasapan and Pfc. Jackson M. Mallari, and wounding three (3) soldiers. The firefight lasted for about an hour and the troops were able to defend their position while the CNTs escaped to different location.
"We mourn the death of Pfc. Sasapan and Pfc. Mallari whose demise were caused by the treachery of the CNTs capitalizing the assistance provided by the soldiers to the communities in line with distribution of SAP. They fought valiantly and paid a great sacrifice to protect our people from the atrocities caused by the CPP-NPA terrorists,” Commanding General, Philippine Army Lt. Gen. Gilbert I. Gapay said.