TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines – An Army soldier was killed while three others were wounded in a 20-minute encounter with New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in the hinterlands of Balagan in San Mariano, Isabela shortly before midnight Tuesday.
Superintendent Narciso Paragas, Isabela police spokesman, identified the fatality as Pfc. Griesman Atali and those wounded as Cpl. Steve Bimmoy, Pfc. Roque Gannalon, and Pvt. Rafael Langao, all belonging to the Army’s 52nd Division Reconnaissance Company.
Pursuit operations against the fleeing rebels were still ongoing. – Raymund Catindig, Charlie Lagasca, Alexis Romero