NPAs attack Agusan Army base; soldier killed

MANILA, Philippines - A soldier was killed while two others were wounded when suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) attacked an Army patrol base in Barangay San Antonio, Remedios T. Romauldez town in Agusan del Norte yesterday morning.

Col. Leopoldo Galon Jr., spokesman for the Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao Command based at Camp Panacan here, said the rebels swooped down on the patrol base of the 23rd Infantry Battalion at around 3:30 a.m. yesterday.

Galon said a firefight ensued and lasted for five hours, resulting in the death of Christopher Rara, a militiaman, and the wounding of Cpl. Murphy Haiber and Dionisio Calbo, a barangay aide.

Soldiers recovered two high-powered firearms, an M-203 grenade launcher, a rifle grenade as well as detonation cords and several rounds of ammunition believed to have been left behind by the rebels.

Huey helicopters from the Tactical Operations Group Region 10 were sent to augment the ground forces in the Army base.

Maj. Eugenio Osias IV, spokesman for the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, said the rebels planted landmines but failed to stop the Army’s pursuit.

 The pre-dawn attack by the NPA was the first since an 18-day Yuletide truce declared by the government ended on Monday, the military said. – Edith Regalado, Jaime Laude