NPA assault on mining firm 5 soldiers killed, 2 hurt

BACOLOD City, Philippines — Five soldiers were killed and two others were wounded in an encounter with suspected New People's Army rebels who raided the Philex Mining Corporation in Sipalay City, Negros Occidental, the military said.

The Philippine National Police said the army troopers who died in the encounter were identified as: Corporal Aljun Francisco (team leader); PFCs Charlie Magne Jomento and Jan Granzo; and Pvts. Ramer Aguilario and Benjie Tolog.

Capt. Franklin Embat, 47th IB civil military operations officer, said the two injured soldiers, PFC Romel Agustino and Cpl Ovimar Latiza, are now in stable condition.

Police said government troops also lost six firearms: 4 M16, one M14 and one K3 rifles.

Captain Leo Christopher Cunanan, public affairs officer of the 303rd Infantry Brigade based in Murcia town of this province, said that last Friday (May 3), an undetermined number of NPA rebels entered the Philex Mining Corp. at sitio Omas in Brgy Camindangan of Sipalay City and reportedly burned two barracks (bunkhouses) of the mining employees and guards.

The rebels also torched a tractor with drilling machine, a generator set, a computer, two-way radio, and personal belongings of employees, Cunanan said.

Immediately, government forces conducted pursuit operations and yesterday (May 4), about 7:40 a.m., they encountered with an undetermined number of rebels inside the firm's mining site at Camindangan.

While the government troops suffered casualties and injuries, an undetermined number were also killed on the enemy side, said Cunanan, adding that the rebels withdrew after more than an hour firefight.

Senior Supt. Ricardo de la Paz, acting Negros Occidental Police provincial director, said about 30 suspected rebels were involved in the burning of the PMC's bunk house and its generator set.

The rebels ordered the occupants of the bunk house to leave, before they set it on fire, De la Paz said. (FREEMAN)