AFP-NPA clashes: 4 killed in Eastern Samar, Negros Occidental

MANILA, Philippines —  Four soldiers were killed in encounters with New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Eastern Samar and Negros Occidental in the past two days.

Two of the soldiers were slain in an encounter with NPA guerrillas in Sitio Cunalom, Barangay Carabalan in Himamaylan City yesterday.

Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Infantry Brigade (IB) commander, said six other soldiers were wounded and were taken to the Riverside Medical Center in Bacolod City for treatment.

The identities of the fatalities and the wounded were withheld pending notification of their family members.

Pasaporte said the rebels also suffered casualties, citing bloodstains on their withdrawal route.

The number of residents displaced by the gunfights in Barangay Carabalan rose from 700 to 1,700 yesterday, according to Mayor Raymund Tongson.

In Eastern Samar, S/Sgt. John Claire Flores and Pfc. Mark Siscar of the 52nd Infantry Battalion were killed while two other soldiers and a 10-year-old girl were wounded in an NPA attack in Barangay Dorillo in Jipapad town on Friday.

Sgt. Allan Tallania and Pfc. Lou Mark Mengote were wounded. A stray bullet reportedly hit the girl, who was not identified.

“This attack is cowardly and a pure act of terrorism. The CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines)-NPA attacked at the holiest hour of the night when locals are already in bed. Tinarget pa nila ang mga civilians... a clear violation of the International Humanitarian Law and Republic Act 9851,” Col. Perfecto Peñaredondo, 803rd IB commander, said.

Eastern Samar Gov. Ben Evardone condemned attack, saying it was “totally irresponsible.”

“We are working for peace and development in the province and region... This action will not deter us from pursuing our commitment to our people to bring peace and development,” he said.