3 soldiers killed in Surigao clash

MANILA, Philippines - A dog’s bark led to a firefight between suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels and government troops, which left three soldiers dead in San Agustin, Surigao del Sur yesterday.

Brig. Gen. Ricardo Visaya, officer-in-charge of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, said the firefight broke out at about 9:50 a.m. after the soldiers discovered a rebel training camp in Sitio Buhisan.  

“While they were patrolling, they saw several tents. So apparently, the insurgents had a dog. The dog barked and the firefight started,” Visaya said in an interview.

Three soldiers died during the clash after an improvised explosive device planted by the insurgents exploded. The identities of the fatalities were withheld pending notification of their families.

The firefight lasted for about 30 minutes and resulted in the takeover by the government forces of the rebel training camp.

“We were able to occupy the training camp. The rebels scampered so we inserted additional troops to track them down,” Visaya said.

Last month, eight members of the police Special Action Force  were killed in an attack staged by NPA guerrillas in Allacapan town, Cagayan.