Soldier killed, 5 hurt in Samar clash with Reds

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — A soldier of the 46th Infantry Batallion was killed while five others were wounded in an encounter with New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas in Barangay Mabini, Basey, Samar on Friday.

The fatality was identified as Cpl. Michael Tabanao.

The military said it was the second encounter between NPA rebels and soldiers in Samar in one week.

Two soldiers and two rebels were killed in a clash in Barangya Olira, Calbayog on Aug. 22.

Landmine attack

Meanwhile, in Negros Occidental, three soldiers were wounded when rebels detonated a landmine in Escalante City yesterday.

First Lt. Vekka Roperos, 303rd Infantry Brigade civil-military operations officer, said troopers of the 79th Infantry Battalion were responding to the reported presence of armed men in Sitio Morino, Barangay Paitan when they clashed with the rebels.

Cpls. Homer Aniversario, Ronald Tuhao and Jerald Caluyo are now in stable condition.

Capt. Cenon Pancito, 3rd Infantry Division spokesman, said five NPA rebels were believed wounded or killed in the clash.

A number of villagers were displaced in the fighting. They were evacuated to the Paitan Elementary School. – Gilbert Bayoran, Jaime Laude