5 soldiers killed in NPA clash

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya , Philippines  – Five soldiers helping secure the rehabilitation of the Halsema Highway were killed in an encounter with suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Mt. Province Wednesday morning.

Backed by helicopter gunships, men of the Army’s 5th Infantry Division based in Isabela are now pursuing the rebels believed belonging to the Kilusang Larangang Gerilya of the NPA’s Ilocos Regional Party Committee.

Col. Loreto Magundayao, civil-military relations head of the 5th ID, said the encounter took place in Barangay Mainit at the boundary of Bontoc and Sagada towns.

“Our government troops were there to provide further security to the ongoing construction of the (multimillion-peso) Halsema Highway project of the national government when they chanced upon the rebels,” Magundayao said. 

Killed during the firefight were Cpl. Napoleon Ramirez, and Pfcs. Joseph Casem, Velasco Mayao, Joey Corpuz, and Camilo Abad.

Four other soldiers, including Pfc. Salvador Villanueva, were wounded in the clash.   – With Artemio Dumlao