Soldier killed, another wounded in Army-NPA clash in Cagayan province

TUGUEGARAO CITY – An Army soldier was killed while another was wounded during a Tuesday morning (April 24) clash with suspected New People’s Army rebels (NPA) in a remote village in Rizal town, Cagayan province.

The soldier, a corporal, died while he and colleague were being evacuated for medical treatment, said Lt. Col. Camilo Saddam, commander of the Army’s 17th Infantry Battalion. The slain soldier’s identity has been withheld pending notification of his family.

An army unit reportedly clashed with about 25 armed men. The soldiers were conducting foot patrols in Masi village when they encountered the armed group at 7:45 a.m.

“Our troops injured the rebels during the 10-minute firefight, as evidenced by trails of blood at the clash site.

Unfortunately, they also got two of our men,” Saddam said.

The Army believes the unit fought with members of the NPA’s Danilo Ben Command, which operates in Kalinga province and Cagayan.

The wounded soldier has been transferred to the Cagayan Valley Medical Center here. /lb