LEGAZPI CITY – A former Bicol University student was killed during a fierce firefight with an Army patrol in Barangay Butag in Bulan town, Sorsogon with a band of New People’s Army(NPA) rebels, the Army said.
Lt. Col. Benigno Antonio, commanding officer of the 2nd Infantry Batallion based in Barangay Aniog in Juban town, Sorosogn, has identified the slain Bicol University student based on his school identification card as Mateo Lodivino, 27, of Barangay Balaguer in Daraga town, Albay.
Antonio said that Lodovino was a second year college student when he joined the underground movement under the NPA operating in Sorsogon three years ago. Antonio tagged the NPA rebels as the ones responsible for the bombing of the Globe cell site in Barangay Sapngan in Bulusan town, Sorsogon on Sept. 14.
Lodovino was killed during a clash with elements of the 2nd Infantry Batallion and some 20 NPAs at the coastal village of Bulan, Sorsogon early Sunday morning.
Pfc. Cristituto Billiones Jr. was wounded during the encounter while some of the rebels were also wounded based on bloodstains on their route of withdrawal.
Lodovino’s body was left behind by his comrades when they withdrew in different directions.
Government troopers recovered two M-16 rifles on the scene of the firefight, said Antonio. – Celso Amo