MANILA, Philippines - Two soldiers were wounded in a clash with suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Gamay, Northern Samar, the military said yesterday.
Capt. Gene Orense, spokesman for the Army’s 8th Infantry Division, said the clash occurred last Sunday at around 5:15 a.m. in Barangay Henogawe.
Pfc. Nelson Rosete and Pvt. Oliver Duenas of the Charlie Company of the 34th Infantry Batallion (IB) were hurt during the 15-minute firefight.
Soldiers recovered an improvised explosive device with a switch/detonator, a radio, a mobile phone, a magazine for a caliber. 45 pistol and a 25-meter long electrical wire.
Meanwhile, the Alpha Company of the 34th IB recovered five improvised explosive devices, a hand grenade, a rifle grenade and a magazine of an AK-47 in a separate clash with rebels in Palapag town.
Maj. Gen. Gerardo Layug said the recovery of the explosive devices shows the NPA’s “blatant disregard” of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.
“I call on everyone to condemn the unnecessary and senseless act of violence perpetrated by the NPA against your soldiers conducting peace and development activities in the community and our people,” Layug said.