3 soldiers dead, 8 hurt in NPA attacks in Samar

MANILA, Philippines - Three soldiers were killed while eight others were wounded in separate attacks by communist rebels in Northern Samar recently, the military reported on Friday.

Reports reaching the Army’s 8th Infantry Division (ID) said a roadside bomb exploded Tuesday morning as members of the 34th Infantry Battalion were patrolling in Barangay Bugtosan, Las Navas town.

The explosion left three soldiers – Pvt. Lino Mahinay, Pfc. Jaype Yulas and Pfc. Albert Abolencia – dead and six others – 2Lt. Marco Abante, Cpl. Ronnie Balastas and Pfcs. Gerry Culaban, Danmar Ching, Marlon Urbano and Buenaventura Raygon - wounded.

“The soldiers were on security operations when waylaid by the NPA (New People’s Army),” said Maj. Amado Gutierrez, spokesman for the Army’s 3rd ID.

Government troops recovered five improvised explosive devices, electrical blasting caps and cable, and two backpacks.

Meanwhile, two more soldiers were wounded in a clash with NPA guerrillas in the town of Lope de Vega town, also in Nortern Samar Friday.

Pfcs. Jay Arabening and Dexter Quilates were taken to the Camp Vicente Lukban Station Hospital for treatment.

Despite the attacks, the military expressed confidence that the provinces of Samar and Northern Samar would soon be declared as “development ready” areas.

“The series of encounters is expected as we are in the last phase of our plan to eradicate the remnants of the NPAs in Samar and Northern Samar,” said Maj. Gen. Jet Velarmino, commander chief of the 8th ID.