MANILA, Philippines — Three soldiers were killed while another was wounded in an ambush by alleged New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas in Legazpi City, Albay yesterday morning.
The fatalities were identified as Cpl. Joemar Maravilla and Pfcs. Ronald Zamora and Reymar Palencia.
The soldiers, who were members of the Army’s 31st Infantry Battalion, were on motorcycles when the guerrillas ambushed them in Barangay Banquerohan at around 8:30 a.m., according to Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr., chief of the Southern Luzon Command.
The soldiers were on their way to secure government projects in Barangay Villahermosa.
The ambush was reportedly in retaliation for the military’s sustained community support programs and combat operations in the area.
Parlade said the NPA was badly affected by the recent surrender of its members including a vice platoon leader and 12 others in Castilla, Sorsogon.
The mass surrender reportedly prompted the NPA to deploy its liquidation squad.
Capt. John Paul Belleza, spokesman for the Army’s 9th Infantry Division, said around 10 rebels were involved in the ambush.