Military denies NPA claim 13 soldiers killed in Bukidnon encounter, says 6 were injured

February 9, 2018

The military said no soldiers were killed in an encounter with the New People's Army in Bukidnon last Tuesday but six soldiers were wounded, the military said in a statement issued Friday. Lt. Col. Randy Remonte, commanding officer of 88th Infantry Battalion, denied the claim of the NPA 13 soldiers were killed. . “No troops were killed. But we have six wounded with minor injuries during the encounter last February 6 at Brgy Cawayan, Quezon, Bukidnon,” Remonte said. “According to their medical records, they are all stable and recuperating at Camp Evangelista Station Hospital in Headquarters, 4th Infantry Division (4ID) at Cagayan de Oro City,” he added 1st Lieutenant Tere Ingente, public affairs office chief of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, said the encounter between the rebels and troops of 88th Infantry Battalion occurred in the vicinity of Barangay Cawayan, Quezon, Bukidnon  around 3:30 pm. Ingente said NPA spokesperson Ariel Magbanwag on Thursday claimed 13 soldiers were killed while six  were wounded. Robina Asido/DMS