4 government troopers killed in Agusan NPA attack

CABADBARAN , Philippines — Three soldiers of the 29th Infantry Battalion (IB) and a militiaman were killed in an attack by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Barangay Maraiging in Jabonga, Agusan del Norte yesterday.

Second Lt. Roselyn Matulac, 29th IB spokesman, said around 30 members of the NPA’s North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee fired at government troopers providing security to the construction of a farm-to-market road.

Three communist rebels were arrested following a brief firefight. An M16 rifle was recovered at the scene.

Matulac withheld the identity of the fatalities pending notification of their family members.