2 troopers hurt in North Samar ambush

CATBALOGAN CITY,  – Two Army soldiers were wounded in an ambush by suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas in Palapag town, Northern Samar on Wednesday night.

The soldiers, numbering about 20, were patrolling in the hinterland of Barangay Bagacay when an improvised explosive device went off, according to Capt. Isagani Viernes, chief of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division public affairs office.

The troopers of the 20th Infantry Battalion were tracking down two unidentified men.

The explosion was followed by a firefight that lasted a few minutes, Viernes said.

Cpl. Donnie Aton and Pfc. Bingbong Crisologo were rushed by their colleagues to the Northern Samar Provincial Hospital for treatment.

Meanwhile, in Samar, residents from 15 villages in Calbiga town left their homes for fear of being caught in the crossfire in the anticipated military offensives against the rebels.

The villagers are staying with their relatives in the town proper.

One evacuee who requested anonymity said the military asked them to evacuate, as they would launch the offensives in the boundaries of Calbiga, Basey and Eastern Samar.

The military denied the allegations, saying there would be no military operation in the areas.