Soldier hurt in All Saint’s Day clash with suspected rebels in Ecija

FORT RAMON MAGSAYSAY, Palayan City – A soldier was hurt in a clash with suspected communist rebels at Pantabangan town in Nueva Ecija on Thursday afternoon, All Saint’s Day.

The Army did not release the identity of the injured soldier assigned to the 91st Infantry (Sinagtala) Battalion, which was after armed men allegedly extorting money from the local community when they engaged them in a firefight at 3:50 p.m. along Kilometer 9 at Barangay (village) Malbang.

The soldiers were following up information provided by a rebel who surrendered to the government, said Lt. Col. Eugenio Julio Osias, spokesperson of the Philippine Army 7th Infantry Division. ARMAND GALANG