LEGAZPI CITY – Two soldiers and two civilians were killed and seven more were seriously injured when heavily armed New People’s Army (NPA) rebels ambushed government troopers at about 10 p.m. on Sunday in Sitio Palapay, Barangay Lajong, Juban, Sorsogon.
Based on the initial reports received at Camp General Simeon Ola here yesterday, the civilian victims were identified as Reymar Lota and Erwin Equiz, both residents of Barangay Sta. Elena in Magallanes town.
The soldiers were identified as Corporal Ronald Arellana and a certain PFC Badagwas, both members of a platoon from the 21 Battalion of the Philippine Army.
According to reports, the soldiers were ambushed by the rebels while on board their service vehicle.
Seven more soldiers were also seriously wounded and remained confined at the Sorsogon Doctor’s Hospital in Sorsogon City, as of press time.
The civilians were on board a motorcycle and passing through the village when the ambush took place. They were hit by stray bullets.
The ambush was believed in retaliation of the encounter the other week in Sorsogon City that killed four rebels.
The police and the military have launched massive pursuit operations against the rebels. – With Celso Amo