Soldier slain in alleged NPA attack in Northern Samar

ORMOC CITY — An Army soldier was killed when some 50 suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) attacked a temporary base camp about 4 a.m. on Tuesday, May 21, in Barangay EJ Dulay, Laoang, Northern Samar.

The fatality was identified as Corporal Alex Saliwan.

Lt. Col. Allan Gullem, commanding officer of the 20th Infantry Battalion, said in a text message that the troops were assigned in EJ Dulay, Laoang, Northern Samar to secure the Samar Island Road Project.

He said the troops were preparing for their routine security patrol when alleged members of the NPA attacked them.

The Army troops held their ground and engaged the suspected NPA members in a 30-minute firefight, which resulted to the death of Saliwan.

Two members of the alleged NPA were killed, Gullem said.

Recovered from the suspected NPA camp was a fired improvised hand grenade. (Editor: Leti Z. Boniol)