Soldier killed, cop kidnapped in Isabela NPA raids

TUGUEGARAO, Cagayan , Philippines — An Army soldier was killed in an encounter with suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels who raided a checkpoint of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Ilagan City, Isabela on Thursday.

The identity of the slain soldier was witheld pending notification of his family members.

Capt. Noriel Tayaban, 5th Infantry Division spokesman, said around 40 communist guerrillas attacked the checkpoint at around 5:20 a.m.

Police Officer 2 Danilo Maur of the Ilagan police and two civilians identified as Jomel Sanchez and Richard Samusam were also reportedly taken by NPA rebels in nearby Sitio Kapaltatan.

Sanchez and Samusam were later released.

The rebels attacked the same DENR checkpoint on Tuesday and ransacked the office of Task Force Kalikasan.