1 soldier, 2 Cafgu men killed in Eastern Samar clash

TACLOBAN CITY—A soldier and two government militiamen were killed in a clash with communist rebels in Jipapad town, Eastern Samar province, on Wednesday morning, military reports said. Reports from the 8th Infantry Division, based in Catbalogan City, said at least 60 New People’s Army rebels attacked the government troops, composed of five soldiers and nine members of the Civilian Armed Force Geographical Unit (Cafgu), who were on their way to a patrol base in Sitio Casapa at 6:45 a.m. They engaged the rebels in a 20-minute firefight but they were overpowered after the latter used improvised explosive devices. Killed in the clash were Sgt. Junar Carpila, the team leader, and Cafgu members Mark Donald Lomuntad and Geremias Etcobanas. Six other Cafgu men were wounded. —JOEY GABIETA AND FRANCIS TIU SONCO