Soldier killed in Agusan Norte clash

DAVAO CITY, Philippines—A soldier was killed in an ambush by communist New People’s Army rebels in Sibagat, Agusan del Norte on Sunday afternoon, the military said.

Col. Leopoldo Galon, spokesperson of the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command, said troops from the 26th Infantry Battalion were in a community immersion when harassed by a still undetermined number of NPA rebels in Barangay New Tubigon at around 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

Galon said the ensuing firefight lasted 10 minutes until the rebels fled eastward.

The lone fatality, an army corporal, was hit in the chest.

The NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, is celebrating its 43rd anniversary on March 29.