1 soldier killed, 9 wounded in NPA encounter

MANILA, Philippines—One soldier was killed and 10 others were injured after communist rebels blasted two landmines while a military vehicle passed by in Barangay Nago-ocan, Katubig in Northern Samar Tuesday morning, a military spokesman said.

Army spokesman Major Harold Cabunoc said the rebels detonated a roadside bomb followed by “raining bullets” when the vehicle of the troops from the 34th Infantry Battalion passed by.

Lieutenant Colonel Niceforo Diaz of the 8th Infantry Division only identified the slain soldier with a rank of a sergeant.

Diaz added the troops encountered with more or less 20 communist rebels in a one-hour firefight after it blasted the landmines.

Meanwhile, the wounded soldiers were already airlifted to the nearest hospital.

Pursuit operations are still ongoing, Diaz also said.