2 troopers slain in Batangas ambush

MANILA, Philippines – Two soldiers were killed in an ambush by suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas in Calaca, Batangas on Friday night.

The killing of Pfcs. Jay Lozano and Ferrie John Garcia was apparently in retaliation for killing of five rebels by troopers from the Philippine Air Force in Nasugbu on Wednesday, according to  Maj. Angelo Guzman, spokesman for the Southern Luzon Command.

Lozano and Garcia were on a motorcycle on their way to their patrol base in Barangay Coral ni Lopez, when they were waylaid by the rebels at around 7 p.m.

The troopers came from the Philippine Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, where they had an interview for their promotion.

The military is deploying additional troops in Batangas following reports that the NPA’s main guerrilla unit operating on Mindoro Island has moved to and is now operating in Batangas.