Soldier slain, 2 others wounded in clash with NPA rebels in Isabela

GAMU, Isabela — An Army corporal was killed while two other soldiers were wounded during an encounter with some New People’s Army rebels in Echague town on Saturday, the military said.

Maj. Noriel Tayaban, Army’s 5th Infantry Division spokesperson, identified the fatality as Cpl. Adonis Galera of Pinukpuk town, Kalinga province.

The wounded were Cpl. Harold Ganagan of Tinglayan, Kalinga; and Cpl. Fajardo Manuel of Paracelis, Mountain Province.

Tayaban said the soldiers, who belong to the 86th Infantry Battalion, were deployed to Barangay Villa Rey after receiving reports that the communist rebels were trying to extort for the underground movement’s anniversary on Dec. 26.

According to Tayaban, the military operation resulted in a 20-minute gun battle with the rebels, some of whom were also reportedly wounded.

Tayaban said Galera sill managed to fire at the rebels but was killed during the clash.

Ganagan and Manuel are being treated at a private hospital in Santiago City.

Edited by JE