FOUR people, including a soldier, were killed in separate clashes in the provinces of Sorsogon and Masbate on Thursday, the military said.
Three members of the Special Partisan Unit (SPARU) of the New People’s Army were killed in Barangay Bacolod in Irosin, Sorsogon at about 11:30 a.m., said Southern Luzon Command spokesperson Major Angelo Guzman.
One of the slain rebels was identified as one Salvador Enriola alias Art/Bonoy.
The soldiers were going house-to-house for dialogues with residents when the rebels fired at them. Two soldiers were also wounded in the clashes.
The firefight lasted about 15 minutes.
At about 9 a.m., a soldier was gunned down by three members of the SPARU in Barangay Bagacay in San Jacinto, Ticao Island in Masbate.
“He was on his way to send money to his family when he was shot by the three NPA SPARUs. They withdrew using motorized banca after the attack,” Guzman said.
The provinces of Sorsogon and Masbate remain to be SOLCOM’s focus area in Bicol region, Guzman said.
SOLCOM chief Lt. Gen. Ricardo Visaya said they are intensifying their military operations in these areas. He also reminded commanders and troops to be more cautious and security conscious.