Army officer slain, 6 hurt in NPA attacks

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines – A military officer was killed and six others were wounded  in two separate attacks by suspected communist rebels in Sito Min-angkig, Barangay Angeles in Lapaz, Agusan del Sur on Sunday.

Reports from Lapaz police identified the fatality  as Army Lt. Patrick Menesses, platoon leader of the 26th Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army.  Menesses’ wounded companions – two Army soldiers and two CAFGU members – were not identified in the police report.

Earlier that day, two other soldiers were wounded in another ambush in Barangay Zillovia in Talacogon town.

Reports said New People’s Army guerrillas detonated a landmine just as the vehicles carrying the soldiers passed.

Meanwhile, the police and military recently declared Dinagat Islands as insurgency-free after no rebel presence and violent incidents perpetrated by communist rebels were reported.