Militiaman dead, 3 soldiers wounded in Misamis Oriental encounter

MANILA, Philippines—A militiaman was killed while three soldiers were wounded in an encounter between government troops and communist rebels in Misamis Oriental Wednesday.

The wounded Cafgu was identified as Pedro Gasahan, Lieutenant Colonel Eugenio Osias of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division said.

The injured soldiers were Privates First Class Ruel Sacal, Ric Ignatius and Brix Perea Mao.

The encounter transpired at about 7:30 a.m., when members of the Army’s 58th Infantry Battalion responded to reports of extortion by communist rebels to residents.

The encounter lasted until the afternoon.

Pursuit operations were already made against the rebels, Osias said.