The frustrated abduction took place at his residence in front of his terrified wife and children last August 28, 2008 at around 10:00 P.M. by more or less 30 NPA rebels. Although CAA Cabarles was already hogtied, he managed to get a grenade from his pant’s back pocket, pull out the safety pin and dropped the fragmentation grenade behind him. This clear manifestation of bravery and personal sacrifice resulted to the death of two NPA rebels, wounding five other rebels but unfortunately, he was himself wounded in the process. The death of the two CTs was confirmed when a shallow grave was unearthed by local officials and government authorities at Barangay Moboob, San Jorge, W. Samar last Sept. 6, 2008 at 12:00 noon through the information of the barangay residents.
As a result of this incident, elements of 20IB under Lieutenants Raul Delos Santos and Ariel Moralejo, immediately conducted pursuit operations and were able to track down the withdrawing rebels. On September 3 and 4, the operating troops encountered more or less 30 heavily armed NPA rebels at Barangay San Andres, Motiong, Western Samar which resulted to the recovery of one rifle grenade, 12 pcs. improvised anti-personnel mines, 30 meters detonating cord (Commercial), two blasting caps, five meters firing wire, one solar panel with 12 volts battery, one binocular, one heavy duty automatic voltage regulator (AVR), two ICOM handheld radios, medical paraphernalia and assorted medicines, five backpacks, a sack of subversive documents and personal belongings of the late Pfc Erwin G. Guito of 46IB. The troops successfully overrun the NPA camp without any casualty on the government side.
Commander, 8th Infantry Division, Brigadier General Arthur I. Tabaquero had emphasized that the NPAs will be charged with frustrated murder, frustrated abduction, illegal use of anti-personnel mines and trespass to dwelling.
General Tabaquero had also lauded the bravery and heroism of CAFGU Cabarles and the 8ID troopers. He intends to give awards to deserving soldiers. For the heroism of CAA Cabarles Sr., he received the Wounded Personnel Medal on September 9, 2008. In addition, CAA Cabarles Sr. will be recommended as CAFGU of the year during the AFP Anniversary Celebration this coming December 2008. General Tabaquero also condemns in the strongest terms the NPA rebels’ continuous use of anti-personnel mines that endanger the lives of innocent civilians. This is a gross violation of the International Humanitarian Law and the Geneva Convention mandating that use of anti-personnel mines is unlawful.
Likewise, he assures all residents that 8ID is committed to undertake military actions to neutralize all armed NPA rebels in Region 8 while accepting with open arms those rebels who wish to lay down their arms to have a peaceful and productive life.
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