Soldiers foil rebel attack

MANILA, Philippines - Communist rebels preventing lumad evacuees from returning to their communities in Surigao del Sur ambushed patrolling Army troopers in the outskirts of Lianga town before dawn yesterday.

The troopers were able to repel the attack despite heavy bombardment from the rebels who waylaid them in Sitio Han-Ayan, Barangay Diatagon at around 2 a.m., according to 1/Lt. Karl Jan Devaras of the Army’s 75th Infantry Battalion.

Reports said the NPA ordered their fighters to burn abandoned homes in Barangay Kilometer 9 and Sitio Han-Ayan to prevent the lumads from returning.

The tribal folk fled to Tandag City several months ago for fear of being caught in the crossfire between the rebels and government security forces.

Devaras said his men were patrolling the area when a band of rebels set off an improvised explosive device and opened fire at them.

He said the ambushers could be members of the Guerilla Fronts 19A and 19B of the NPA’s North Eastern Mindanao regional committee.

As of yesterday afternoon, sporadic fighting continued in the area.