Lt. Col. Danilo Servando, the military’s public information chief, said elements of the 34th Special Forces Company Riverine were patrolling the coastal villages of Binakod and Sta. Cruz on board two pumpboats when about 40 rebels fired at them, triggering a gunbattle.
"This is what we call a hasty ambush," Servando said.
The slain soldiers were identified as Corporals Edwin Cabocana and Carlito Luquiao, Pfc. Gaylord Antolin and T/Sgt. Nixon Sargado. Wounded were Sgt. Manuel Galayo and Pfc. Cornelio Pajaro.
Servando said five guerrillas were also killed in the clash. — James Mananghaya, Paolo Romero