Soldier killed in encounter with 20 NPA rebels in Isabela

From InterAksyon (Mar 20): Soldier killed in encounter with 20 NPA rebels in Isabela

A soldier was killed in an encounter with around 20 suspected New People's Army (NPA) rebels in Jones, Isabela on Monday, belated reports showed.

Colonel Loreto Magundayao Jr., public affairs office chief of the 5th Infantry Division, said troops from the 53rd Division Reconnaisance Company encountered the rebels while conducting security patrol in the vicinity of Barangay Dicamay Dos at 6:12 a.m. Monday.

After a ten-minute firefight, the rebels fled, only to encounter government rebels again that led to another clash. As a result, soldiers were able to arrest three civilians at the encounter site. Magundayao said if the three were proven to be not involved or associated with the rebels, they would be immediately released.

The slain soldier was identified as Private First Class Mhael Soriano. He was airlifted to Isabela Doctors General Hospital but was declared dead by doctors.

Pursuit operations were launched against the rebels.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/57532/soldier-killed-in-encounter-with-20-npa-rebels-in-isabela