Two government soldiers, one of them an Army junior officer, were killed Thursday in an encounter with communist rebels in Davao del Norte province in southern Philippines.
 
“We are saddened by this incident for two of our men laid the ultimate sacrifice only to secure community areas from the presence of armed men,” said Col. Lysander Suerte, commander of the 1003rd Brigade, on Friday.
 
The fatalities — 28-year-old 1Lt. Arvin Quedding and Pfc. Alfe Caballes, 30 — were part of the team dispatched to Barangay Dagohoy in Talaingod town following the reported presence of New People’s Army (NPA) rebels there.
 
Suerte said the soldiers were attacked upon their arrival in the area around noon Thursday.
 
“Their heroism is an inspiration to all of us to double our efforts in putting an end to insurgency for that genuine and lasting peace we have envisioned,” Suerte said of the two slain troopers. – KBK, GMA News