Government soldiers in Mindanao / AFP FILE PHOTO / STRINGER
COTABATO CITY – A Marine soldier was killed while eight others were injured when elements of the Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT-8) were ambushed by New People’s Army rebels in Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat on Monday.
Mayor Ronan Eugene Garcia said the soldiers, belonging to the 2nd Marine Company, went to Sitio Tinangdanan, Barangay Hinalaan at 10 a.m. when undetermined number of rebels ambushed them, triggering a daylong sporadic firefight.
Garcia said the identity of the slain Marine private has been withheld pending due notice to his direct family. Eight other combatants are undergoing treatment in a hospital in Lebak town.
A source from the 1st Marine Brigade based in nearby Lebak, Sultan Kudarat said the rebels were from nearby Senator Ninoy Aquino town, also in Sultan Kudarat and in Sarangani province.
The same source said six communist rebels were killed when the Marines fired artillery toward Barangay Hinalaan.
“There are no NPA members in Kalamansig, they come from nearby communities and influenced our people, especially the indigenous peoples,” Garcia said. SFM/rga
Kalamansig town in Sultan Kudarat province (Wikipedia maps)