5 soldiers wounded in NPA encounter in Zamboanga del Sur

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 25): 5 soldiers wounded in NPA encounter in Zamboanga del Sur

Five soldiers belonging to the 1st Infantry Division's 53rd Infantry Battalion sustained minor injuries following a clash with 50 heavily-armed New People's Army (NPA) rebels in Lakewood, Zamboanga del Sur Tuesday morning.

The troopers were wounded by metal fragments after the rebels detonated a landmine in Sitio Ludiaw, Barangay Dagum, Lakewood town.

Capt. Jefferson Somera, 1st Infantry Division spokesperson, said the encounter took place around 8:00 a.m. as three platoons of the 53rd Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. Victor S. Tangawohn were conducting security operations in the locality.

The rebel presence was reported to the military by concerned civilians.

Somera said that the firefight lasted for two hours before the rebels retreated taking with them an undetermined number of casualty or wounded.

Pursuit operation is ongoing.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=537985