Army: 7 hurt in rebel attack in Camarines Sur

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines — At least seven people, including a soldier and two militiamen, were wounded in an attack by suspected New People’s Army (NPA) members on Saturday in a remote village of Libmanan town in Camarines Sur province, the military said Sunday.

Four civilians and Army members were repairing a busted water pipe in Sitio (sub-village) Burong-Burong in Barangay (village) Malinao when they were attacked by a group of rebels at around 7:40 a.m. Saturday, Capt. Joash Pramis, public affairs chief of Philippine Army’s 9th Infantry Division.

Pramis said they could not yet release the names of victims as they were still receiving treatment in a hospital as of Sunday.

He said that while inspecting and repairing the damaged water system of the village, soldiers providing security in the area engaged in a 15-minute firefight at least 10 NPA rebels. The four civilians who were helping the soldiers were wounded in the attack.

It was also learned the NPA rebels intentionally destroyed the water system facility, Pramis said.

Meanwhile, additional troops were deployed to conduct pursuit operation and hunt down the fleeing terrorists. /cbb