One injured in alleged NPA ambush in Bukidnon

MANILA, Philippines — One militia man was injured after armed men believed to be members of the New People’s Army ambushed troops in Bukidnon early Tuesday, a military spokesman said.

In a statement, Major Eugenion Osias IV said that troops of the Alpha Company, 8th Infantry Battalion, led by Lieutenant Erwin Bugarin, were traversing the national highway along Barangay (village) Songco, Lantapan, Bukidnon onboard a military vehicle when they were engaged by the rebels following an explosion from an improvised explosive device planted along the side of the road.

Osias said that military troops fired back and managed to escape the rebels.

However, one Civilian Active Auxiliary was wounded but did not say the extent of the injury.

Meanwhile the driver of the military vehicle survived a hit to the chest as he wore a bullet proof vest, Osias said.

Lieutenant Colonel Jose Maria Cuerpo, 8IB Commanding Officer, ordered pursuit operations against the rebels believed to be members of the Guerilla Front 6 of North Central Mindanao Regional Committee, the military spokesman said.