Soldier killed in clash with NPA rebels in Ilocos Sur

FORT RAMON MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija – The Army’s 7th Infantry Division is mourning the death of a soldier who was killed on Friday (Jan. 22) during an encounter with fighters of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay (village) Lamag, Quirino town in Ilocos Sur.

In a statement, the Army command expressed its condolences to the family of Private Shame Reyes, who was killed in the 40-minute firefight.

“His gallantry to protect the people of Ilocos Sur will serve as an inspiration to all of us to crush the remaining NPA terrorists in our area of responsibility and continue protecting the people from [their] influence,” according to the statement.

Reyes was the second soldier from the 7ID’s 71st Division Reconnaissance Company (DRC) to have been killed in combat against the NPA this month.

Earlier, the 72DRC lost 2Lt. Zaldy Lapis, Jr. in an encounter with 40 communist rebels in Abra.