2 soldiers slain in Davao del Norte clash

DAVAO DEL NORTE—Two soldiers, including a junior officer, were killed in a clash with communist rebels in a hinterland area of Talaingod, Davao del Norte on Thursday afternoon, the military reported Friday.

Col. Lysander Suerte, commander of the Army’s 1003rd Infantry Brigade, said 1Lt. Arvin Quedding, 28, of Guimba, Nueva Ecija, was leading one of two platoons of troops from the 60th Infantry Batallion in conducting security operation when they chanced upon New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Barangay Dagohoy, which is part of Mt. Tambuko.

Suerte said Quedding and Private First Class Alfe Caballes of Talaingod were killed in the clash, which took place 12:30 p.m. Allan Nawal, Inquirer Mindanao