Soldier wounded in Quezon clash with suspected NPA rebels

LUCENA CITY – A Philippine Army soldier was wounded in an encounter with suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels on Saturday, June 18, in Infanta, Quezon.

The Quezon provincial police reported on Sunday that three soldiers from the Army’s 1st Infantry Battalion, after receiving police information, intercepted a tricycle carrying four suspected rebels in Barangay (village) Magsaysay at around 3:20 p.m.

Three of the suspected rebels fled towards a forested as he soldiers approached.

The other suspect, armed with a handgun, fired at the soldiers and hit Staff Sergeant Alex Ayupan on the right chest.

The two other soldiers were unharmed.

The wounded soldier was taken to Claro M. Recto Hospital in the town center for emergency treatment. He was later transferred to Camp V. Luna Hospital in Quezon City.

Government forces are still conducting operations to track down the rebels.

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