Soldier, militiaman killed in NPA ambush in Surigao Sur town

BUTUAN CITY—-A soldier and a government militiaman were killed in an ambush by New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas in Marihatag town, Surigao del Sur province on Tuesday (Jan. 28).

In a report, Lt. Krisjuper Andreo Punsalan, civil military operations officer of the Army’s 3rd Special Forces Battalion, said the attack killed Ramie Tabano Austria, 40, militiaman, of Marihatag, and Pfc Arwin Saclet Niegos, 33, a native of Palawan.

A separate report from the Caraga regional police office said Niegos and Austria were about to hop on a motorcycle to follow another motorcycle carrying soldiers and headed to their base at the village of Mararag when they were attacked.

As the two reached the village of San Isidro past 8 a.m., at least 20 NPA guerrillas, who had been waiting from an elevated position, opened fire.

The two soldiers on the other motorcycle, identified as Pfcs Don Carlos Asentista and Paul John Montilla, made out of the area unscathed and
called for reinforcement.

Forensics examiners found 34 M-16 shells and the .45 caliber pistols of the soldier and militiaman missing.

Brig. Gen. Joselito Esquivel Jr., Caraga regional police chief, said checkpoints had been set up at entry and exit points while the Army is in pursuit of the guerrillas.

Edited by TSB