Soldier killed in encounter with alleged NPAs in Davao del Norte

March 26, 2019

One soldier was killed while another was wounded in a two-hour firefight with alleged New People’s Army (NPA) members in Davao del Norte on Monday.

1Lt. Amadeuz Celestial, civil military operations officer of the 60th Infantry Battalion, said the 25th Infantry Battalion under the 1001st Infantry Brigade encountered around 30 rebels in the vicinity of Brgy. El Salvador in New Corella town around 5:30 am.

“The encounter ensued after some residents informed the troops of the armed group’s presence in their area,” he said.

“Previously, residents of adjacent villages also reported the armed group’s activities there, citing extortion or the terrorists’ collection of their so called ‘revolutionary tax’ which also include election taxes paid for ‘permit to campaign’ and ‘permit to win’. Some terrorist ‘hideouts’ were also discovered by the operating troops,” he added.

Celestial said both soldiers were immediately evacuated for proper disposition. Their identities are being withheld pending notification of their next of kin, he said.

He said after the clash soldiers recovered one M-14 rifle and an unexploded improvised explosive device.

He said at least 100 families from the affected area were forced to vacate their homes because of the incident.

“The municipal local government of New Corella facilitated the evacuation and immediately provided food subsistence and temporary shelter materials,” he added. Robina Asido/DMS