Elite soldier killed in Bukidnon clash with communist rebels —military

An elite soldier was killed in a clash with Communist rebels in Bukidnon on Friday afternoon, a military spokesman said.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is witholding the identity of the slain soldier pending notification of kin.

Capt. Joe Patrick Martinez, public affairs officer of the Army's 4th Infantry Division, said the rebels most likely suffered casualties as well although he could not give figures yet.

Martinez reported that "tracks of bloods were seen along NPA's withdrawal route. Civilians also saw the NPAs dragging along their casualties."

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr., commander of 4th Infantry Division, congratulated the troops for driving away the alleged New People's Army (NPA) members.

"Unfortunately, while our troops are performing their duty, one of our soldiers have paid his ultimate sacrifice when he offered his own life just to free our people from NPA atrocities. To our brave soldier, your heroism will always be remembered by the people to whom you dedicated your life and service," Madrigal said.

"For the NPA in that area, this is a lose-lose situation whenever we see Filipinos losing their precious lives in this conflict. There's nothing noble about making our people miserable. We urge you to heed the call of the government to stop this non-sense armed struggle and start living peacefully with your families," Madrigal added.

Two-hour fighting

Meanwhile, Martinez said the clash that lasted for two hours from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Friday in Sitio Kambangon, Barangay Lilingayon of Valencia City.

Soldiers, in coordination with the police, rushed to the area based on information that NPA guerrillas were in the area allegedly to extort money from residents.

Upon reaching Sitio Kambangon, the rebels allegedly fired at the troops, killing one soldier.

Government troops, however, managed to drive the rebels away, Martinez said.

Government troops scoured the area and recovered war materiel with high powered firearms including two AK47, two M653, and five M16 A1 rifles; one Improvised Explosive Device; eight AK47, three M14, and one M16 Magazines; one Rifle grenade; five gallons of gas; three Handheld radios, NPA personal belongings and subversive documents with high intelligence value. — LBG/VVP, GMA News