4 soldiers hurt in NPA ambush in Zamboanga del Sur

MANILA, Philippines - Four soldiers were hurt in an ambush staged by suspected New People’s Army (NPA) members in Tigbao, Zamboanga del Sur last Saturday, the military said Monday.

A report by the Army’s 1st division said members of the 1st Cavalry Squadron were on their way to Zamboanga City on board their service vehicle when they were waylaid by armed men in Barangay Maragang at around 9 a.m.

Four soldiers were wounded in the ambush that was staged by undetermined number of suspected rebels.

A brief encounter ensued after the soldiers fired back at the suspected communist rebels. The clash enabled soldiers to rush their wounded colleagues to the Tigbao Municipal Health Center.

“The four slightly wounded soldiers were given immediate medical attention and now in stable condition,” said Capt. Franco Suelto, acting spokesman of the Army’s 1st division.

Suelto claimed the NPA members in the province had been forced to transfer near populated areas particularly along the Tigbao national highway due to “pressure from intense and persistent pursuit operations of the military.”

“The NPA is on the run after series of recent encounters with military and successive surrenders of members in the province,” he said.

Troops of the 53rd and 5th Infantry Battalions are now conducting pursuit operations against the insurgents. – with a report from Irene Bongcales