2 soldiers, 9 rebels wounded in Compostela Valley clash

Two soldiers and nine communist rebels were wounded during an hour-long clash in Compostela Valley on Tuesday afternoon, according to the military.

In a statement, 1^st Lt. Vergel Lacambra of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division said the troops were on security patrol when they figured with about 20 members of New People’s Army around 4 p.m. at Campo Uno in Barangay (village) Andap, New Bataan.

The wounded soldiers were immediately brought to Montevista District Hospital for treatment.

They are now on stable condition.

The soldiers of the 66th Infantry Battalion led by Lt. Col. Gulbert Roy Ruiz recovered nine high-powered firearms: One AK-47 rifle, one M14 rifle, one M4 Carbine, and six M16 rifle from the encounter site.

Nine rebels were critically wounded but they were taken by their comrades who fled, according to civilians.

Eastern Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Aurelio Baladad ordered the search for the wounded rebels.

“We are also concerned about the wounded NPA members,” he said. “We have a brand-new ambulance here at Eastmincom that can help them reach the hospital for their immediate treatment.” Mary Frances Gillan G. Ropero/RC