SAF member wounded in Northern Samar encounter

TACLOBAN CITY — A member of the Special Action Force (SAF) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) was wounded in an encounter with communist rebels in Mapanas town, Northern Samar province on Saturday, Nov. 27.

Patrolman Ben Liwen Saclangan, who sustained a gunshot wound on his neck, was brought for treatment to a hospital in Catarman town via chopper.

On Friday, government troopers also encountered members of the New People’s Army in Barangay Roxas, Catubig town around 5:30 p.m. on Friday.

No soldier was wounded.

Last November 20, two SAF commandos were killed while four others were wounded in an ambush in Gamay town, also in Northern Samar.

SAF personnel were earlier deployed in the province to help in the fight against insurgents.