Two soldiers were killed in an ambush by suspected New People's Army rebels in Barangay Anitapan in Compostela Valley before dawn Thursday, a regional military spokesman said.
In an interview, Capt. Ernest Carolina, spokesman of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division based in Compostela Valley, identified the victims as Privates Jerwin Teodoro and Reyned Pasadao, both detailed with the Army's 71st Infantry Battalion.
He said the soldiers were on their way back to their patrol base after attending a barangay festivity in Mabini town when they were attacked at around 3 a.m.
The victims were wearing civilian clothes and were not carrying firearms when the ambush occurred, he added.
"They attended a party as part of the celebration of the barangay foundation anniversary," Carolina said.
“They were shot on the way back to the Anitapan patrol based from the (barangay) gym. They were still at the vicinity of the gym, which is near the patrol base, when they were shot,” he said, adding the suspects used cal. 45 pistols.
Carolina said they believe the NPA rebels were behind the attack. "We are not yet 100 percent sure but judging from experience, they (rebels) may be involved. That is our primary suspicion," he added.
Peace talks with the communist rebels remain at a standstill.
In March, President Benigno Aquino III was quoted as saying the resumption of negotiations depends on the willingness of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front to cooperate with the government.
The President issued the statement after authorities arrested CPP chair Benito Tiamzon and his wife, the party's secretary general Wilma Tiamzon.
Aside from the Tiamzons, another suspected communist leader — Andrea Rosal, daughter of the late rebel spokesperson Gregorio “Ka Roger” Rosal, was arrested on March 27.
The military said Rosal, who allegedly uses the aliases “Naiya” and “Liam,” was arrested by virtue of warrants of arrest issued in Mauban, Quezon, for cases of kidnapping and murder. The military said Rosal was also implicated in an attempted homicide case filed in Luisiana-Cavinti court in Laguna.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.