Soldier on Comelec duty killed by NPA rebels

New People’s Army. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — A soldier was killed while another was wounded on Saturday afternoon in an ambush by communist rebels in Gamay town, Northern Samar, after delivering vote counting machines (VCM) in another town.

Killed was Private First Class Louiden Quebec of the 20th Infantry Battalion based in Catubig town, Northern Samar.

Private Michael Cagata was wounded and was rushed to the rural health center in Mapanas.

Captain Ian Andres Fabellon, chief of the public affairs office of the 8th Infantry Division, saidthat no VCMs were taken by the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels.

He said the soldiers were assigned to secure the VCMs that were delivered to Mapanas town in time for the May 9 polls.

After delivering the VCMs, they were heading back to their base in Catubig past 3 p.m. on Saturday when their vehicle hit a land mine planted by NPA rebels in Sitio Mamhot, Barangay Manaybanay, Gamay town, according to a  report received by the Police Regional Office in Eastern Visayas (PRO-8).

After the land mine exploded, at least 30 rebels fired at the soldiers. An exchange of gunfire ensued, the report said.

The rebels retreated to the mountains.

Responding policemen from the Mapanas police station recovered one plastic container, four white gallons covered with black cloth and around 100 meters of black electrical wire. /rga