Soldier killed by alleged NPA rebels in Zamboanga del Sur

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—A soldier was killed by suspected members of the New People’s Army in Zamboanga del Sur, the military said Sunday.

The victim was ambushed by six armed men believed to be NPA in Purok 5, Ocapan village in San Miguel town, at around 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, said Captain Franco Suelto, Army’s 1st Infantry Division acting public affairs office chief.

The soldier, who remained unidentified pending the notification of his family, came from a meeting and was on his way to Dalapan village in Guipos town.

He managed to return fire but was outnumbered. He sustained wounds on his head and chest that caused his immediate death.

When soldiers responded, he was already found lifeless and without his gun, Suelto said.

In Zamboanga del Norte, one soldier was wounded in a 20-minute clash with suspected communist rebels also on the same day.

Soldiers from the 10th Infantry Battalion were on security patrol when they were fired upon by the alleged NPA rebels in sitio Taysan, Midatag village in Leon Postigo Sr. town past 4p.m.

The wounded soldier was immediately evacuated and given proper medical treatment.

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