Army pursues Agusan rebels; civilian hurt
MANILA, Philippines - A civilian was wounded yesterday as Army troops pursued the communist rebels who staged an attack in Veruela, Agusan del Sur, killing five soldiers, last Tuesday, the military said.
In a report, the Army’s 4th Infantry Division said troops from the 26th Infantry Battalion and the 42nd Division Reconnaissance Company encountered some 30 rebels in Sitio Tagmanoro, Barangay Sayon in Sta. Josefa town at around 6:45 a.m.
“Sta. Josefa is… adjacent to Veruela municipality. The terrorists are believed to be those responsible for the harassment yesterday at La Fortuna, Agusan del Sur,” Lt. Col. Triumph Dominic Bagaipo, 4th ID civil-military operations officer, said in a statement.
Bagaipo said a civilian, identified as Jesusimo Tapia, was caught in the crossfire and was rushed to the nearest hospital for treatment.
Bagaipo said no soldier was harmed during the 25-minute clash.
Recovered at the encounter site were two improvised explosives and the rebels’ personal belongings.
“Pursuit operations are still ongoing as of now,” Bagaipo said.
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