Lightning strike kills 1 soldier, hurts another in Zambo Sibugay

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Xinhua) - A sentry soldier was killed while his comrade was severely hurt when lightning struck their post yesterday while on guard in a village at Zamboanga Sibugay, military officials said here today.

Captain Jefferson Somera, Spokesman for the Philippine Army's 1st Division said the two victims were designated to guard their battalion post located at Barangay Libertad, Tungawan town when the lightning struck the post past 7 a.m. Thursday.

He said the lightning occurred as the area experienced bad weather Thursday. "The powerful charge of the lightning caught the two soldiers inside, causing severe shock," said Somera.

Brigadier General Daniel Lucero, commander of the 1st Division, identified the fatality as Private First Class Jaymar Tumarong and his injured companion was Private First Class Jemar Destrajo, both of whom belong to the 6th Special Forces Battalion based in Tungawan town.

Captain Somera said the soldiers in the area immediately rushed the two soldiers to the hospital in Ipil town, but the attending physician declared Tumarong dead on arrival while Destrajo was described to be in stable condition and has been undergoing treatment from severe electric shock.