5 soldiers killed in Agusan attack

MANILA, Philippines - Five soldiers were killed in a pre-dawn assault staged by the New People’s Army on an Army command post in Agusan del Sur yesterday, the military reported.

The rebel assault at Barangay La Fortuna, Veruela town at about 1:46 a.m., occurred after the insurgents killed eight policemen they ambushed in Catarman, Northern Samar on Saturday.

“We the 4th Infantry Division family deeply sympathize and grieve with the families of five of our personnel assigned with Charlie Company, 26th Infantry Battalion based in La Fortuna, Veruela, Agusan del Sur,” Lt. Col. Triumph Dominic Bagaipo, spokesman of the 4th Infantry Division said.

Bagaipo, however, withheld the identities of the slain soldiers, who he said were operating elements of the Charlie Company, 26th Infantry Battalion, pending notification of their next of kin.

According to Bagaipo, around 30 rebels belonging to the Guerilla Front-3 (GF-3), of the Southern Mindanao Regional Party Committee, undercover of darkness while closing in towards the main Army command post, fired at the soldiers manning the camp’s perimeter defense.

“The harassment lasted for more or less 15 minutes that resulted to the death of five enlisted personnel and wounding of one and loss of three firearms,” Bagaipo said.

The wounded trooper is now being treated at the D.O Plaza Memorial Hospital in Patin-ay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.

Barangay La Fortuna is considered as the center of gravity of the local terrorists operating in the area, the reason why soldiers were deployed in the area.

It is from this community that they get their much-needed logistical and financial support aside from enjoying the mass-based support provided by the residents, according to 4th ID Commander, Maj. Gen. Vic Felix.

“Their attacks did not only harm the families of the victims, but the chances for economic development and better lives for their children have been also immensely affected. It is our wish for the NPA rebels to heed the government’s call for peace. We believe that no one should get hurt regardless of whose groups they belong to, for we are all Filipinos,” said Felix.

Brig. Gen. Francisco Cruz, AFP deputy chief for intelligence (J-2) described the latest NPA atrocities in Agusan del Sur that left five soldiers dead, as a strategy of the weak. – With AP