Militiaman dies, soldier hurt in clash

From the Sun Star-Zamboanga (Jul 6): Militiaman dies, soldier hurt in clash

A MILITIAMAN was killed while a soldier was wounded in a firefight preceded by an ambush staged by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Compostela Valley province, the military reported Monday.

The clash took place a day after another group of NPA rebels detonated two improvised bombs near the hangar of Dole banana plantation in the same province.

Lieutenant Colonel Roberto Bunagan, commander of the Army’s 60th Infantry Battalion, said the clash ensued around 8:55 a.m. Sunday in the village of Aguinaldo, Laak.

Bunagan said his personnel were conducting security patrol following the reported presence of NPA rebels when they were ambushed, prompting the troops to return fire.

Bunagan did not release the identity of the slain militia as well as that of the injured soldier, who was taken to a military hospital.

He said the NPA rebels withdrew following a 30-minute firefight. Some of them were wounded based on information from civilians.

He said the troops recovered an AK-47 rifle and three backpacks abandoned by the rebels.

Lieutenant Colonel Eduardo Gubat, Eastern Mindanao Command spokesman, said extortion was believed to be the motive in the two improvised bomb explosions around 11 p.m. Saturday near the hangar of Dole banana plantation.

Gubat said the explosion has slightly damaged an aircraft at the hangar in the village of Poblacion, Maragusan.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/zamboanga/local-news/2015/07/06/militiaman-dies-soldier-hurt-clash-417372