9 soldiers hurt in blast during encounter in Samar

ORMOC CITY—Nine soldiers were wounded when an improvised explosive device went off near an encounter site in Barangay  Bay-ang, San Jorge, Samar about 6:50 a.m. Saturday.

Capt. Francis Agno, Division Public Affairs Officer, of the 8th Infantry Division in Camp Lukban, Catbalogan, Samar said a report from Lt. Col. Rizaldo N. Laurena, Commanding Officer of the 63rd Infantry Battalion based in Barangay Eranas, San Jorge, said his troops were on their way to Bay-ang when they chanced upon a group of suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas.

The encounter triggered a brief firefight.

At the height of the firefight, an explosion occurred resulting in the slight wounding of the nine soldiers, he said. The wounds came from the IED shrapnel.

An undetermined number of casualties on the NPA side was noted as blood stains were found in their escape route.

The wounded troops were evacuated to the nearest hospital for immediate treatment./lzb