Soldier, employee killed, 1 hurt in NPA attack in Sorsogon

NAGA CITY, Philippines – Two persons were killed while another was wounded in an ambush by suspected New People’s Army rebels in Casiguran, Sorsogon, Tuesday morning, an Army official said.

Capt. Mardjorie Panesa, public information officer of the 9th Infantry Division, said the two persons killed were a soldier identified as Corporal Edison Capital and Anthony Habalo, an employee of the Casiguran Water District.

Panesa said another soldier identified as Private First Class Jenly Balbis was wounded in the attack at Barangay San Juan, Casiguran at 8 a.m.

Panesa said the two soldiers, Capital and Balbis, were in civilian attire and on their way to the municipal hall of Casiguran to coordinate a medical and dental mission of the Army when around 15 communist rebels opened fire at them.

Capital was dead on the spot while Balbis sustained a gunshot wound in the right palm.

Panesa said it was not yet clear in what way Habalo got involved in Capital and Balbis’ party as the investigation was still ongoing, as of Tuesday afternoon.