2 soldiers wounded in North Cotabato clash

KIDAPAWAN CITY – Two soldiers from the 39th Infantry Battalion were slightly wounded in the clash that broke out between the Army and New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Barangay Luayon in Makilala, North Cotabato on Tuesday.

Lieutenant Colonel Rhojun Rosales, the 39th IB commander, however did not identify the injured soldiers.

Superintendent Bernard Tayong, the spokesperson for the North Cotabato Police Office, said based on the reports they received, the soldiers were conducting combat patrol in Sitio Kapatagan when they were fired upon by suspected communist rebels from Guerrilla Front 72.

Rosales said prior to the clash, they conducted an operation following reports that the rebels were spotted in the area.

After the firefight, he said the soldiers stumbled upon an NPA minicamp rigged with explosives and fox holes.

Police said at least 300 people fled the area and had sought refuge at the village hall. /ee