Soldier killed, 9 hurt in NPA attacks

MANILA, Philippines - A soldier was killed while two others were wounded in an ambush by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Makilala, North Cotabato yesterday morning.

At least five soldiers and two civilians were also seriously wounded when suspected NPA guerillas threw a grenade into a group of Army soldiers manning a checkpoint along the national highway in Barangay San Roque, Panabo City, Davao del Norte Friday night.

The slain soldier was identified as Pfc. Alex Calon of the Army’s 57th Infantry Battalion (IB) while the injured were Cpl. Hassan Sarif and Pfc. Dandie Garbo.

 Lt. Col. Joven Gonzales, commanding officer of the Army’s 57th IB, said the soldiers were on the way to their command post in Barangay Batasan, a hinterland district in Makilala, to get food and other supplies when more or less 20 NPA rebels attacked them.

“Our soldiers were wearing civilian clothes so they’re not in the fighting position. They were ambushed. Only one of them brought a firearm,” Gonzales said.

 Militiamen and soldiers have been deployed in strategic stretches of farm-to-market roads criss-crossing Barangay Batasan after the incident.

Meanwhile, Col. Leopoldo Galon, spokesman for the Eastern Mindanao Command, said the soldiers wounded in the grenade attack in Panabo City whom he only identified as Army Sgts. Tapat, De los Reyes, Cpl. Arenasa, Pfc. Laroya, militiaman Jimentesa and civilians Noli Paglinawan and Dominic Camansi are confined in different hospitals in the city.

Galon said the attack occurred at around 6:30 p.m.

“Our troops were conducting a checkpoint by the roadside in front of a barangay hall when the rebels sneaking from behind lobbed a grenade at their location,” Galon said.

On Thursday, NPA rebels also ambushed and killed a soldier in the presence of his two children and a nephew in Barangay Pobacion Malabog, Paquibato District, Davao City.

The victim, Cpl. Wenie Carampatana, was assigned to the 10th Infantry Division. – Jaime Laude, Edith Regalado, John Unson