Ilocos NPA attack leaves 5 soldiers dead, 6 hurt

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Five soldiers were killed and six others were wounded in an ambush by suspected communist guerrillas in Barangay Namitpit, Quirino in Ilocos Sur Thursday night.

A convoy of police and military personnel were on their way to their camp when they were waylaid at 7:30 p.m., Ilocos Sur police public information officer Superintendent Leland Benigno said yesterday.

He said the group had just conducted a joint patrol in Patungcaleo town where communist rebels recently burned heavy equipment owned by South Ocean Mining Corp.

Leland did not identify the victims pending notification of their families. 

“We are still completing the account,” he said, noting that initial reports from Quirino police are sketchy.

Reports stated that the wounded were brought to a health care facility in Quirino while the fatalities were airlifted to the 81st Infantry Battalion at Fort Magsaysay. – With Raymund Catindig