Soldier killed in clash with NPA in Zamboanga del Sur

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Zamboanga del Sur—-A soldier had a somber homecoming on Tuesday, Dec. 10 in Kumalarang, Zamboanga del Sur after paying what Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana said was “the ultimate sacrifice.”

Private Alfie Ogao-ogao, a fresh Army training graduate, was killed in a clash with New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas last Sunday, Dec. 8.

“My salute to our soldier who paid the ultimate sacrifice putting other people and the country ahead of himself,” Sobejana said.

Major Arvin John Encinas, Westmincom spokesperson, said the clash happened in Sitio Napolan, Barangay Tinuyop of Leon B. Postigo, Zamboanga del Norte around 3:35 p.m. Sunday.

Encinas said the encounter lasted for some 20 minutes.

The incident happened amid fresh efforts to have the peace negotiations between the government and communist rebels reopened.

The hinterlands of Leon B. Postigo town are among the remaining hold outs of the NPA in the area that easily connects to Misamis Occidental province.

After the clash, soldiers recovered personal items left by the NPA guerrillas, three improvised explosives, two hand grenades, two rifle grenades and four caliber .50 bullets, Encinas said.

Sobejana vowed to increase military operations in the area.

Edited by MUF