"They have stepped up their attacks on military personnel now that the anniversary of the CPP-NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army) is fast approaching," Col. Antonio Amodia, commander of the Army’s 404th Infantry Brigade, told The STAR.
Davao del Norte and the adjoining provinces of Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental, Agusan del Sur and the Surigao provinces are considered hotbeds of communist insurgency.
Amodia identified the fatalities as Capt. Marcelo Quitiquit, T/Sgts. Tagulimot and Evasco, and one Pfc. Santos, all belonging to the Field Artillery Battalion deployed in the 404th IB headquarters in nearby Mawab town.
The wife of another soldier, Pfc. Agad, was reportedly hit by a bullet in the head and is now in critical condition in a Tagum City hospital. — Edith Regalado, Roel Pareño and Jaime Laude