Soldier hurt in Negros clash

CEBU, Philippines – A soldier was wounded in a clash with communist rebels in Himamaylan, Negros Occidental on Monday.

Pfc. Ronald Dejilla, who was hit in the leg, was brought to a hospital for treatment.

The Army’s 3rd Division said the encounter occurred at 3:50 p.m. in Sitio Cantupa in Barangay Buenavista.

The soldiers were patrolling the area when around 20 New People’s Army guerrillas fired at them, triggering a 15-minute gunfight, said Lt. Col. Eugene Badua, commander of the Army’s 11th Infantry Battalion.