5 soldiers hurt in clashes with NPA rebels in Cagayan

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—Five soldiers were wounded in two successive clashes with New People’s Army (NPA) fighters in Cagayan province on Thursday (May 3), the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) of the Armed Forces reported on Friday (May 4).

According to Nolcom, an undetermined number of rebels were also wounded in the firefight at Sitio (subvillage) Mureg in Barangay (Village) Balani in Sto. Niño town.

Around 30 NPA rebels were involved in the clashes with personnel of the 5th Infantry Division who were conducting security patrols in the area, Nolcom said.

The first clash erupted at 10:30 a.m. while the second skirmish happened as the soldiers were pursuing the rebels.

The identities of the wounded soldiers have not been released at press time.

This was the third reported clash with communist rebels in Northern Luzon since January.   / muf