3 killed in Eastern Samar landmine attack

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — A soldier and two militiamen were killed while six other militiamen were wounded when suspected New People’s Army rebels detonated landmines and opened fire near a military detachment under construction in Jipapad, Eastern Samar yesterday.

The 52nd Infantry Battalion identified the fatalities as T/Sgt. Junar Carpila and Mark Donald Lomuntad and Geremias Etcobanas of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary.

Edwin Adamero, Francis Legarse, Manny Maestre, Ronilo Porton, Jeffrey Pajanustan and Helbert Pajanustan, all militiamen, were wounded.

The government troopers were on their way to the detachment, which they were constructing in Sitio Cabatas in Barangay 4, when they were attacked.

The military said an undetermined number of rebels were believed killed and wounded in the ensuing firefight.

Local policemen have joined the military in the investigation and pursuit of the rebels.