Maj. Gen. Romeo Dominguez 8th Infantry Division commander, identified the fatalities as Msgt. Alex Alenga of Iloilo City, Tsgt. Neil Serilo of Negros, Pfc. Orlando Ramos of Southern Leyte and Pfc. Gomer Noro of General Santos City.
The wounded soldiers who are now confined at the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center were Cpl. Ritchie Oro, and Cpl. Mark Inopias both of Leyte.
The NPA carted away close to P200,000 in cash which was supposed to pay for the salary of the soldiers, and high powered firearms like M-16 Armalite, M-14 and M-23.
Col. Eusebio Ramos, 802nd Brigade commander, in a phone-interview told The STAR that the troops of Scout Rangers belonging to the 43rd Infantry Battalion based in Mahaplag, Leyte were on their way to Mahaplag town when they were ambushed.
A hot pursuit operation was immediately launched by the reinforcement troops from the 43rd IB and 802nd Brigade against the rebels who were reported to be actively operating in Leyte.
Some two months ago, Dominguez established an additional military force in Leyte after noting the increasing extortion activities of the rebels.
Ramos said that additional troops would be sent to Mahaplag. — Miriam Garcia Desacada