2 soldiers hurt during clash with rebels in Northern Samar

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

TACLOBAN CITY – Two soldiers were wounded after engaging alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in an encounter in Barangay Bonifacio, Gamay town, Northern Samar province at about 6:50 a.m. on Friday, July 19.

Corporal Donadillo and Private Resco sustained grazed wounds on their heads during the 30-minute firefight, according to a report from the Philippine Army.

Both soldiers are now in stable condition at an undisclosed hospital.

READ: Soldier slain in a clash with NPAs in Samar

The soldiers, belonging to the 52nd Infantry Battalion, were conducting a security operation in the area when they encountered around 30 rebels.

Government forces were able to recover the rebels’ camp in Barangay Bonifacio, along with two high-powered firearms.

In Southern Leyte, government forces recovered a cache of firearms suspected to belong to NPA members.

The firearms, which included an M1 Garand rifle, one MK2 fragmentation hand grenade, and assorted ammunition of different calibers, were discovered by members of the 14th Infantry Battalion in Sitio Silao Bato, Barangay Kahupian, Sogod, Southern Leyte, on Sunday, July 14.

Brigadier General Noel Vestuir, the commanding officer of the 802nd Infantry Brigade, said civilians from the village provided information leading to the discovery and recovery of the firearms buried in the area./###