2 soldiers hurt in NPA ambush

COTABATO CITY – Communist rebels ambushed a military truck fully loaded with soldiers in Arakan, North Cotabato yesterday, wounding two, one of them a lieutenant.

Police said the wounded soldiers, initially identified as 1Lt. Cuevas and Cpl. Liparo, and their colleagues in the Army’s 57th Infantry Battalion were on their way to a hinterland district in Arakan to verify reported sightings of rebels there when they were waylaid. – John Unson

7 MILF rebels slain in clash

DAVAO CITY – At least seven suspected rogue rebels of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front were killed and a policeman was wounded in an encounter on Tuesday in Pantukan, Compostela Valley.

Senior Superintendent Ronald de la Rosa, Compostela Valley police director, said one of those killed was confirmed to be Rual Ve­nan­cio, said to be a nephew of the Jemaah Islamiyah conduit and liaison officer of wanted MILF leader Ameril Ombra Kato. – Edith Regalado, Cecille Suerte Felipe

‘Toy’ gun kills 10-year-old girl

TUGUEGARAO CITY – For mistaking a caliber .38 revolver for a toy, a 10-year-old girl here would not get to see Christmas Day after a gunshot wound in the head killed her on Monday.

Police said the victim, Merly Cabotaje, was on her way home with a sibling after buying groceries when she came across what she thought was a toy pellet gun and played with it until it went off. – Charlie Lagasca

7 inmates bolt Basilan jail

ZAMBOANGA CITY – At least seven prisoners bolted the Basilan provincial jail and wounded a jail guard Wednesday morning in Barangay Sumagdang, Isabela City, police said.

Four of the escapees were later re-arrested, said Senior Superintendent Salik Macapantar, Basilan police director. – Roel Pareño