Soldier killed, 2 others hurt in encounter
BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — A soldier was killed, while two other soldiers were wounded in an encounter between government troops and suspected members of the New People’s Army in Escalante City, Negros Occidental Saturday.
The military identified the fatality as Sergeant Isidro Padilla, and the wounded as Corporal Julius Baquil and Private First Class Genesis Castillo.
A press statement from the 303rd Infantry Brigade said troopers of the 62nd Infantry Battalion were pursuing the rebels believed to be the perpetrators in the killing of two farmers in Sagay City last May 22.
The soldiers however encountered about 30 rebels who opened fire at them in Barangay Mabini in Escalante City at about 6:10 a.m. of Saturday.
The firefight lasted for 20 minutes. The military said some of the rebels were also wounded as they retreated.
Lieutenant Colonel Arnel Cabugon, commander of the 62IB, said these were the same rebels who burned the bunkhouses of farmers at Barangay General Luna in Sagay City on May 22, where two agrarian reform beneficiaries were killed. (FREEMAN)
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