Ifugao clash leaves 2 soldiers, 4 rebels dead

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – Two Army soldiers and four suspected New People’s Army rebels were killed during an encounter in a remote mountain village in Asipulo, Ifugao on Tuesday.

Capt. Jefferson Somera, spokesman for the 54th Infantry Battalion (IB), said three soldiers were also wounded.

Somera said the soldiers were helping in the construction of a feeder road in Sitio Landing in Barangay Camandag when a group of rebels led by Gilbeys Busal, alias Ka Sayaff, attacked them at around 7:30 a.m.

Reports identified the slain soldiers as Pfcs. James Cenale and Mark Anthony Padtu.

Wounded were 1st Lt. Roland Carinan, Pfc. John Ryl Discaya and Air Force officer Raphy Anongos. 

Authorities have recovered the body of one of the slain communist guerrillas, who was identified as Joel Botingwon, a resident of Sitio Ikot. 

Lt. Col. Eddie Pilapil, 54th IB chief, said additional troops were deployed in the province to conduct a manhunt for the rebels. – Charlie Lagasca, Raymund Catindig, Artemio Dumlao