Northern Samar. INQUIRER FILES
TACLOBAN CITY — A soldier was killed while three others were wounded during an encounter on Tuesday, Nov. 12, between government troops and suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Gamay, Northern Samar.
The soldiers, from the 52nd Infantry Battalion based in Jipapad, Eastern Samar, were conducting military operations in the area when they encountered nine NPA rebels in Barangay Malidong.
A firefight lasted about 10 minutes, resulting in the death of Corporal Benjie Tamor, 28.
Three of Tamor’s colleagues were also wounded in the skirmish, though their identities were withheld by the 8th Infantry Division based in Catbalogan City, Samar, due to security concerns.
READ: 2 soldiers hurt during clash with rebels in Northern Samar
The injured soldiers were airlifted to an undisclosed medical facility for treatment.
In a separate incident, another group of soldiers from the 52nd Infantry Battalion engaged NPA rebels in a firefight in Barangay San Jose, Mapanas, also in Northern Samar at 12:10 p.m., also on Tuesday.
The battle lasted for 25 minutes, but no casualties were reported on either side.
These encounters occurred just days after Major General Adonis Ariel Orio, the new commanding general of the 8th Infantry Division, pledged to resolve the insurgency problem in the region.
Orio assumed command on Nov. 7.