NPA attack in Samar; 5 soldiers hurt, 3 rebels killed

PALO, LEYTE, Philippines — An undetermined number of communist rebels Monday morning attacked a military detachment at Barangay Hikumot in San Jose de Buan town of Samar, but the ensuing 10-minute firefight resulted in the death of three of the rebels, while five soldiers suffered only minor injuries.

Major General Raul Farnacio, commander of the 8th Infantry Division, told The Freeman via a phone call that the Charlie Company of the Army's 52nd Infantry Battalion successfully defended its detachment from the assault of the New People’s Army rebels.

"My wounded troopers, which include two members of the Philippine Army and three of the CAFGU, are now safe while being confine at the Camp Lucban Hospital. All of them only have slight wounds," Farnacio said,

The military report also revealed that, aside from three fatalities on the side of the NPA, the soldiers believed that there were an undetermined number of rebels who were also wounded, based on the trails of blood evident along their path of escape.

Reinforcement troops later recovered from the path an AK-47 rifle and other two handheld radios left behind by the attacking rebels. As of press time, the military are still scouring the area for sightings and eventual arrests of the rebels, whose leadership in the assault was still unidentified.

Farnacio hailed the Hilumot detachment soldiers “for their courage and continued dedication and determination in upholding the government quest for sovereignty, peace and security in Eastern Visayas region.”

Meanwhile, the military and the police forces in Eastern Visayas have already raised a heightened alert status in the region against possible similar attacks by the rebels in Samar provinces and in Leyte. (FREEMAN)