Officer killed in battle

From the Manila Standard Today (Dec 8): Officer killed in battle

A fresh graduate of the Philippine Military Academy was killed in a battle on Friday between government forces and the New People’s Army in the hinterlands of Barangay Buhisan in San Agustin, Surigao del Sur.

Major Christian Uy, spokesperson of the 4th Infantry Division, identified the victim as 2nd Lt. Romeo Beniegla Jr. of the 3rd Philippine Army Special Forces Battalion.

Major Judith Loayon of the 410st Infantry Battalion identified two other casualties as Private First Class Gaspar M. Calleja, Jr. and Pfc. Donald Linian, both members of the 3rd Philippine Army Special Forces.

In separate mobile phone interviews this December 7 morning, both Majors Uy and Loayon told MST government troopers were patrolling Barangay Buhisan when 30 NPA rebels engaged them in a 30 minute firefight.

The exchanges of volleys of gun fires for thirty minutes resulted to the killing of the PMA fresh graduate and seriously wounding two other soldiers which were immediately brought to military emergency hospital here in Barangay Bancasi inside Military Headquarters compound located near Butuan City Airport.

The two military officials claimed that as of press time the military is conducting hot pursuit operations against the fleeing communist rebels.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/12/08/officer-killed-in-battle-/