Soldier killed, 3 hurt in clashes vs NPA in Davao region

A soldier was killed while three others were wounded in a series of encounters with the New People’s Army in the Davao region on Thursday, the military said.

Two soldiers — Corporals Zhelmer Roquero and Hansen Dave Pajarillo — were injured in an encounter at Sitio Maglahos, Barangay (village) PM Sobrecary in Caraga, Davao Oriental at about 9:30 a.m., Captain Rhyan Batchar, Army’s 10th Infantry Division public affairs chief said in a statement on Friday.

Sergeant Leo Lugo was killed and Private First Class Rodulfo Bascon was injured in an encounter that followed also in the same village.

The casualties were airlifted to Camp Panacan Station Hospital in Davao City.

Air Force helicopters also provided close air support to the ground troops, Batchar said.

Encounters between the military and communist rebels were also reported in Barangay Cayaga in San Fernando in Bukidnon; and in a joint police and military operation in Barangay Caputan in Antipas, North Cotabato after a reported presence of the NPA that caused 237 families to leave their homes out of fear, Batchar said.

READ: 600 flee as ‘100 NPA rebels’ mass up near North Cotabato village

No casualties from the government side were reported in these encounters.

The evacuees, meanwhile, took shelter in Antipas Municipal Gym and are set to return to their homes on Saturday.

Classes were suspended in the elementary schools in the villages of Canaan, Embangan and Camutan on Friday to ensure the safety of the children. IDL/rga