Soldier wounded in clash with suspected Reds in Abra

A soldier was wounded in an encounter with suspected New People’s Army rebels in Sallapadan, Abra Monday afternoon.

A statement from the Armed Forces Northern Luzon Command said members of the Army's 24th Infantry Battalion were on security patrol at Sitio Nagas-asan, Barangay Ud-udiao, Sallapadan when they chanced upon the insurgents at 2:45 p.m.

The communist rebels were members of the Agustin Begnalin Command, Kilusang Larangang Gerilya (KLG) North Abra of the Ilocos-Cordillera Regional Party Committee (ICRC) being led by Abdon Siddayao.

The Army trooper was hit on his leg during the encounter.

NolCom said it continuously conducts focused military operations (FMO) in selected areas of Northern Luzon which are frequently visited by the NPA.

The clash came following the cancellation of the peace negotiations between the government and the National Democratic Front. — Amita Legaspi/RSJ, GMA News