5 hurt in Agusan Sur ambush

MANILA, Philippines - Five members of the government security forces were wounded in an attack staged by suspected communist rebels in Loreto town in  Agusan del Sur yesterday.

Lt. Col. Leo Bongosia, spokesman for the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, said about 15 rebels waylaid the troops from the 26th Infantry Battalion at Purok 2 in Barangay Kauswagan at past 7 a.m.

Bongosia said a 10-minute firefight ensued, leaving four soldiers and one militiaman wounded.

Pfcs. Julbair Dassad, Raphy John Teola, Remar Edpalina and Rene Lazaga, and militiaman Emmanuel Batolina sustained shrapnel wounds after an improvised explosive device planted by the rebels exploded.