3 soldiers killed in Negros ambush

MANILA, Philippines – On the rampage for the last three days, the New People’s Army ambushed and killed three soldiers in Negros Oriental yesterday morning.

Lt. Col. Nemesio Gacal commanding officer of the Army’s 11th Infantry Battalion said the incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. at Sitio Busay, Barangay Hilaitan.

Four soldiers were riding on a motorcycle, locally known as habal-habal, towards the Guihulngan town proper from their battalion headquarters to withdraw money when waylaid by the rebels.

“They were all in civilian attire,” Gacal said, adding that one of the soldiers escaped unhurt.

As of press time, elements of the 11th IB are pursuing the ambushers, said to be members of the NPA Leonardo Panaligan Command that carries out operations in central Negros. On Friday, the rebels abducted two policemen and a soldier in a checkpoint in the mining town of Monkayo, Compostela Valley. – Jaime Laude, AP