2 soldiers hurt, NPA killed in Davao Oriental clash

Two soldiers were hurt and one communist rebel was killed in an encounter in Davao Oriental, the military said Friday.

The Army troops of the 28th and 66th Infantry Battalion figured in a clash with the communists from the Pulang Bagani Company 6 in Tagbionga, Mati City past 11a.m. on Thursday, Ltc. Ramon Zagala, commanding officer of the 28th IB said.

The military fired artillery rounds as combat support to engaged troops, he added.

The injured soldiers were flown to Panacan Hospital in Davao City, while the communist rebel was brought to Padilla Funeral Homes in Mati City.

A separate statement from the Army’s 10th Infantry Division said that the fighting between the soldiers and communist rebels in Mati City have displaced a number of families in the villages of Don Salvador Lopez, Buso and Tagbinunga.

The 10th ID said that the local government of Mati and security forces are working on the needs of the families.

The military also reported that another communist rebel who was part of the encounter turned himself to authorities.

The alleged NPA member identified as Ricardo Bisaya alias Jonas, from Tarragona in Davao Oriental, surrendered in Barangay (village) Don Salvador Lopez in Mati City a few hours after the encounter, the 10th ID said. IDL

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