Army soldier slain, another hurt in Mountain Province clash

GAMU, Isabela –– An Army soldier was killed while his companion was wounded during a gunfight with communist rebels in Sagada, Mountain Province on Thursday, the military said.

Killed was Army Cpl. Jordan Malnawa of Pinukpuk, Kalinga while the wounded has yet to be identified, said Army Maj. Noriel Tayaban, the 5th Infantry Division spokesperson.

Army soldiers found two anti-personnel landmines and assorted chemical components for improvised explosive devices from the clash site in Barangay Aguid.

Brig. Gen. Henry Doyaoen, 503rd Infantry Brigade commander, said the encounter lasted for 30 minutes and may have wounded an undetermined number of New People’s Army rebels.

Doyoen said the government troops were scouring the site to remove planted landmines as reported by villagers when they were attacked by the rebels./lzb