2 soldiers killed in Davao del Norte firefight

Photo taken from google maps

MANILA, Philippines—Two soldiers were killed in a firefight between government troops and communist rebels in Davao del Norte Thursday afternoon, the military said.

The troops from the 60th Infantry Battalion were conducting security patrol when they encountered about 50 members of the New People’s Army in Dagohoy village in Talaingod town, said Colonel Lysander Suerte, commander of the Army’s 1003rd Brigade.

Killed were First Lieutenant Alvin Quedding, 28 of Nueva Ecija and Private First Class Alfe Caballes, 30 from Davao del Norte.

The soldiers responded to reports of armed men sighted in the area when they chanced upon the rebels.

“The assault was a mere ‘show off’ to project might after the public’s call echoed to surrender the suspects who threw grenade in Fatima village in Paquibato District which injured 48 civilians,” Suerte said.