Soldier pursuing NPA arsonists hurt in rebel attack in Agusan del Norte

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — A soldier was wounded in an attack by New People’s Army (NPA) in Remedios T. Romualdez, Agusan del Norte, on Monday, the military reported Tuesday.

Capt. Alberto Caber, spokesperson of the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom), said the soldier, a member of the 29th Infantry Battalion, was part of a group of soldiers patrolling Sitio Bahi in Barangay Tagbongabong, which came under fire from NPA rebels around 4:30 p.m. Monday.

Caber said the soldiers were pursuing NPA rebels who burned a 10-wheeler truck in Kauswagan, Loreto, Agusan del Sur – who also killed a farmer who was passing by on his way to his farm the previous week.

Caber said civilian informants identified the NPA leader that led the attack as Derek of the North Eastern Mindanao regional committee. (Germelina Lacorte, Inquirer Mindanao)