Two soldiers from the Fifth Infantry Battalion died and four others were injured after they were struck by lightning during a security operation in Lubuagan, Kalinga.

The soldiers who died were identified as Corporal Andrew Monterubio, 30, from Barangay Lenzon, Gamu, Isabela, and Private First Class Inmongog Aronchay, 26, from Betwagan, Sadanga, Mountain Province. 

The four other soldiers who were injured received medical attention at the 5th Infantry Division (5ID) Station Hospital.

“Their mission is to hand down ‘yung remaining members ng Komiteng Larangang Guerilla, ito ‘yung mga armed NPAs na operating dyan sa probinsya… open area siya since they are on foot or mobile sila going to their next objective,” Maj. Rigor Pamittan, Chief of the Division Public Affairs Office, 5ID Philippine Army, said.

Local residents helped bring the soldiers to the municipal center and to medical facilities.

The Philippine Army has turned over the remains of Monterubio and Aronchay to their families.

Monterubio’s mother could only grieve over what happened to her son.

“Hindi ko matanggap dahil nag-iisa nga yung anak ko at tsaka nag-uumpisa pa lang kami sa aahon sa buhay. Kasi nagpatayo ng bahay ang anak ko at hindi pa natapos… Sana gabayan niya ako lagi, alam naman nya na mahal na mahal ko ‘yang anak ko na ‘yan,” Gemarie Cantor, the mother of Monterubio, said.

The 5ID extended its condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers. The Lubuagan local government unit also pledged additional support to the bereaved families.