Soldier, 5 rebs killed in Agusan clash

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — At least five communist rebels and one soldier were killed yesterday when guerrillas tried to overrun a government outpost in San Luis, Agusan del Sur, the military said.

The soldiers and militiamen manning the riverside patrol base in Barangay San Pedro repelled the midday attack by about 60 New People’s Army guerrillas.

One militiaman was also wounded, said Maj. Gen. Samuel Bagasin, commander of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division.

The rebels opened fire with grenade launchers, killing one soldier instantly. The firefight lasted an hour, Bagasin said.

The other outpost defenders — three members of the Army special forces and 12 militiamen — used a network of trenches to escape further harm and inflict casualties on the attackers, Bagasin said. — Ben Serrano, Jaime Laude And Roel Pareño