5 soldiers killed, 6 wounded in clash with NPA in Ilocos Sur

MANILA, Philippines—Five Army soldiers were killed and six were wounded in clashes with the New People’s Army (NPA) in Ilocos Sur on Thursday night, the military said on Friday.

Soldiers from the Army’s 81st Battalion were conducting law enforcement operations when they were waylaid by about 15 communist rebels in the village of Namitpit at around 8 p.m., a statement from the Armed Forces Public Affairs Office said.

The soldiers were onboard military tucks when the attack happened.

They were able to call for reinforcements and civilian ambulances but these were fired upon their arrival at about 10 p.m., prompting the drivers to head towards a safer location.

“The casualties were finally retrieved early morning today (Feb. 27). Two UH1H helicopters were sent to collect all the casualties from the encounter site,” the statement said.