4 soldiers, 2 NPAs wounded in Albay clash

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – At least four Army soldiers and two rebels were wounded in an encounter yesterday morning in Barangay Mariawa this city.

Col. Lorenzo Raul Farnacio, commander of the Army’s 901st Infantry Brigade, identified the wounded soldiers as Pfcs. Valentino Riñon, Melvin Navarro and Ryan Magistrado, and Cpl. Henry Niño Barra, all belonging to the 91st Infantry Division’s Reconnaissance Company.

He said the four soldiers were immediately flown to a hospital at Camp Elias Angeles in Pili, Camarines Sur.

Farnacio said the 10-minute firefight ensued after the patrolling soldiers chanced upon at least 10 New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas led by a certain Antonio Abadeza.

Two rebels were reportedly also wounded, leaving behind a bloodstained firearm and personal belongings.

Also recovered at the encounter site were a .45-caliber pistol, an M-16 bandolier containing six loaded magazines, a Motorola VHF radio unit, a cell phone, three backpacks, six hammocks, and subversive documents reportedly of high intelligence value.

Farnacio said government troops were pursuing the fleeing rebels. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe, Celso Amo