4 slain in Agusan Sur attack

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines – Four persons were killed while six others were wounded when a group of men shot at an ambulance in Rosario town, Agusan del Sur Sunday.

The fatalities were identified as Nonie Mabong, 50; Carlos Serna, 24; Vanessa Sabas, 26, and Alfredo Serna, 52.

Barangay Marfil chairman Emilio Solidor, village treasurer Liza Cachuela, militiaman Derion Mordeno, Expedito Alas, Elmer Adonis and six-year-old Crisella Adonis were wounded.

Municipal information officer Socrates Aquino said the victims were in an ambulance on their way to the town proper when they were ambushed in Barangbay Marfil at around 5:25 p.m.

Aquino said Solidor suffered a bullet wound in the face and was reported to be in critical condition at a hospital in Tagum City, Davao del Norte.

Town police chief Inspector Bonifacio Estrella said soldiers and police officers were pursuing the assailants.

Estrella said they have yet to determine whether the assailants were rebels or bandits.

Meanwhile, an Army soldier was killed while six of his colleagues were wounded in an ambush by suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas in Sagada, Mountain Province Sunday night.

Killed was Pfc. Osias Ing-ingan of the Army’s 54th Infantry Batallion.

Wounded were Cpls. William Agpawan and Albert Paleyan, and Pfcs. Nathan Cade Focasan, Jimmy Apao, Ian Mango and Hanzel Onnon.

The wounded soldiers were taken to a government hospital in Bontoc for treatment, said provincial police director Senior Superintendent Oliver Enmodias.

Reports said the soldiers were on their way back to their barracks from a three-day leadership seminar in Sagada when they were waylaid in Barangay Tetepan at around 10 p.m. – Ben Serrano, Raymund Catindig, Artemio Dumlao