Filtered By: Topstories
News

3 soldiers killed in clash with NPA gunmen in Negros Occidental


Three Army soldiers, including a junior officer, were killed and four others were injured in an ambush staged by communist New People's Army gunmen in Himamaylan City in Negros Occidental Sunday morning.

Maj. Franco Ver Lopez, spokesman of the Army's 303rd Brigade, said the rebels first detonated an improvised bomb and lobbed grenades on the soldiers before exchanging gunfire.

Lopez said the firefight occurred at around 10 a.m. in Barangay Carabalan where troops from the Army's 94th Infantry Battalion were on security patrol in connection with the distribution of financial assistance under the government's Social Amelioration Program.

"They (the Army unit) received a series of reports regarding the presence of armed group who were conducting extortion activities in the communities forcing the people to give money and rice," said Lopez.

Quoting 303rd Brigade commander Colonel Inocencio Pasaporte, Lopez said soldiers were closing in on the rebels when the insurgents detonated the bomb and hurled grenades, inflicting casualties on the troops.

Lopez said rebels retreated after the 30-minute firefight.

Lopez said the slain soldiers included a lieutenant. A military helicopter was dispatched to evacuate the wounded troops who were now recuperating at a Bacolod City hospital.

“The soldiers are still pursuing the NPA terrorists who were seen dragging their dead and wounded comrades,” said Pasaporte

“We express our deepest sympathy to the families of our hero-soldiers who died fighting for the peace in Negros Island,” he added.

Pasaporte said the military would intensify operations against the NPA in the province to prevent them from sowing fear in the communities. — DVM, GMA News

LOADING CONTENT