2 soldiers ambushed by NPA in Davao Oriental

DAVAO CITY—Two soldiers from the Army’s 28th Infantry Battalion were ambushed by suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Davao Oriental on Friday, the military said.

The two soldiers onboard a motorcycle were heading toward Barangay (village) Calapagan in Lupon town when they were shot by communist rebels at about 6:45 a.m., said Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, commanding officer of the 28th Infantry Battalion.

“They were not there for combat mission. What we see here is an act of treachery of attacking unarmed and in civilian clothes personnel. These are members of peace and development outreach program teams who are just there trying to build a community,” he said.

The identities of the slain soldiers, with a rank of corporal and private first class, were withheld pending notification of their families.

Zagala said they would file murder charges against the perpetrators.

“We won’t let this pass. We will continue our operations against them,” he said./rga