2 soldiers killed in clash with NPA

MANILA, Philippines - Two soldiers were killed and another one was hurt in a clash with the New People’s Army (NPA) in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental last Thursday, the military said.

Lt. Col. Ariel Reyes, chief of the 47th battalion, said his troops were conducting development activities at Sitio Madaha in Barangay Buenavista when they were fired upon by about 30 rebels at about 2:15 p.m.

“Our troops are there to help the local government unit in assisting the people to identify the issues in their community so that they can be resolved,” Reyes said in a statement.

Two soldiers identified as Cpl. Napoleon Supresencia and Pfc. Henry Lumio, Jr. died during the 30-minute encounter. Another soldier, Pfc. Leland Sucatre, sustained a minor wound on his back.

Two M16 rifles were also carted away by the fleeing NPA members. Reyes said soldiers had seen blood stains along the rebels’ route of withdrawal.

“This will not impede our initiatives to provide the necessary services to the people,” Reyes said.

Maj. Gen. Aurelio Baladad, chief of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, crticized the NPA for supposedly disrupting the development activities of the military and the local government.

“Why do they (rebels) continue to deprive the people of having a developed community and of having a peaceful and better lives?” Baladad said.

“We need to go back to the peace negotiating table to finally put an end to the insurgency problem of our country,” he added. (with a report from Irene Bongcales)