PRESS RELEASE

 Public Information Office, Headquarters Philippine Air Force

            Colonel Jesus Villamor Air Base, Pasay City

              Telefax (632) 853-5023 local: 6629/6529

          Email: pio@paf.mil.ph & paf_pio@yahoo.com

                             DATE: 29  Mar 2011                                                LT COL MIGUEL ERNESTO G OKOL PAF (GSC)

                                                                                                             Director, PIO

PAF TROOPS ENCOUNTER ARMED CTs; EP CITED

A squad from the Philippine Air Force’s 730^th Combat Group (CG) faced off with ten (10) heavily armed men believed to be communists/terrorists (CTs).   The encounter ensued while the squad was on patrol in the vicinity of Sitio Maragat Ragat, Barangay Patugo in Balayan, Batangas last March 23, 2011. 

In a report forwarded to Lt Col Miguel Ernesto G Okol, Public Information Office Director, it was learned that the troops were conducting their regular patrol when they encountered and were swiftly engaged by group of heavily armed men.   The exchange of fire to repel the armed men wounded Sgt Tyrone S Quilban, a member of the patrolling team.  Though wounded, he and his group continued to fend off the advances of the armed men until the group scattered in retreat.

While a pursuit team was hot on the trail of retreating CTs, Sgt Quilban was treated for his wounds.  For his courage and selfless act to fight it off with his group, Air Force Commanding General, Lt Gen Oscar H Rabena AFP presented him the Wounded Personnel Medal at the Air Force General Hospital. 

Elements of 730^th Combat Group initiated a dialogue after the encounter happened to alert local residents of the presence of the CTs and encourage them to report any form of harassment that may occur following the encounter.#