MANILA, Philippines - One soldier was wounded after New People’s Army (NPAs) rebels fired at Army troops conducting a medical mission in Marihatag, Surigao del Sur last Thursday.
Reports reaching the Army’s 4th Infantry Division said the rebels staged the attack as Capt. Ramil Fugnit, civil-military operations officer of the 29th Infantry Battalion, was delivering a message to the residents.
The incident left a soldier named Cpl. Sali Adjawali wounded. He was hit in the right knee by rebels believed to be members of the NPA’s Guerrilla Front 19-B.
“The rebels are dismayed because the people are beginning to realize the deception of the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA-National Democratic Front,” said Col. Romeo Gan, commander of the 401st Infantry Brigade.
Gan said the rebels fired at the soldiers without considering the security of the residents who were present during the medical mission.
He said the insurgents wanted to instill fear among the people so they would not cooperate with the military.