Soldier killed, 4 injured in Agusan Sur clashes

MANILA, Philippines — One soldier was killed and four were injured in two separate clashes in Agusan del Norte Sunday morning, a military spokesman said Monday.

Quoting Colonel Kiram Grajo, commander of the 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion, acting Army spokesman Major Harold Cabunoc said operating troops from the 5th and 6th Scout Ranger companies of his unit figured in clashes with an undetermined number of rebels in Bangayan village, Kitcharao town at around 11:40 a.m. Sunday.

The clashes occured 10 minutes apart, he said.

Cabunoc identified the fatality as Private First Class Ninilito Gulane.

The wounded were Captain Steve Cimini, Corporal Mabel Sacayan and Privates First Class Jose Sedrome and Henry Simba, he said.

The wounded soldiers were brought to a local hospital for treatment and were reported to be in stable condition, he added.

The soldiers were pursuing the rebels who torched down mining sites in Taganito town in Surigao del Norte who fled to Agusan del Norte area, Cabunoc said.

Meanwhile, Army chief Lieutenant General Arturo Ortiz ordered pursuit operations against the rebels who “sabotaged” the mining industry in the Caraga region, he added.