Soldier killed, another hurt in clash with NPA in Davao Occidental town—report

DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur, Philippines—A soldier was killed while another one was wounded in a clash with communist insurgents in Davao Occidental on Tuesday, a military report said.

Killed was Private First Class Harold Sacramento while the injured soldier was identified as Private First Class Jhonny Caballero, both of the 73rd Infantry Battalion.

Based on a report from the 73rd IB, some 20 New People’s Army rebels under Front 71 harassed a group of soldiers under 1Lt. Emmanuel Capisanan in Barangay Culaman in Jose Abad Santos town around 4:30 a.m.

A brief firefight ensued, which resulted in the government casualties.

Senior Supt. Michael John Dubria, Davao del Sur police director—who also has jurisdiction over Davao Occidental—said local policemen and those from the provincial mobile group has joined the manhunt against the rebels.

Dubria also ordered police chiefs to be on alert against possible NPA attacks in their areas.

In March, NPA rebels set off landmines in Bansalan town in Davao del Sur and also attacked the police station of Matanao town, also in Davao del Sur, in which two policemen were killed.

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