4 soldiers killed in NPA landmine attack in Surigao

BUTUAN CITY Camp Rafael Rodriguez – Four soldiers were killed while three others were wounded when an undetermined number of communist rebels ambushed an Army 6x6 truck belonging to the 401st Philippine Army based in Dayoan, Tago, Surigao del Sur past 9 a.m. Thursday police and military reports said. The two wounded were identified as certain Army Staff Sgt. Eutequio Gonzales and PFC Albaroa, all members of the 401st IB PA while the other one wounded is still unidentified as of press time.

In an official report to Caraga Police Regional Director Chief Supt. Antonio Dator Nanas, Surigao del Sur Provincial Police Director Senior Supt. Alex Ga claimed that while the seven army troopers were traveling the national highway in sitio Tagbalidbid, Barangay Mararag, Marihatag, Surigao del Sur, around 40 fully armed NPA rebels opened fire at them, his after landmines the rebels planted exploded.

The soldiers despite being helpless and outnumbered, according to 401st Infantry Brigade Commanding General Luini Mirar fought it out with the rebels for nearly an hour. The firefight caused traffic jam among motorists aboard public utility and private vehicles as they were stranded at the national highway after alleged uniformed men warned them not to proceed because a firefight was ongoing.

It was not reported whether the "uniformed men" who manned the traffic while the firefight was ongoing were highway or police, army patrols. The Caraga Police Information Office identified the casualties, all members of the 401st Infantry Brigade Philippine Army as PFC Muyco, PFC Betallo, PFC Eleccion and PFC Credo. The wounded were immediately brought to Marihatag District Hospital located at the Poblacion.

The 23rd IB Philippine Army Commanding Officer Col. Manalo told THE STAR in a text message that the NPA rebels were also planning to attack the CAFGU patrol base at Barangay Mararag at the time of the ambush incident. Reinforcement team from CAA Patrol Base at Barangay Mararag,Marihatag, Surigao del Sur and operatives of the 1405th PPMG led by Police Chief Insp. James Goforth immediately proceeded to the area. — Jaime Laude and Ben Serrano