3 soldiers killed by suspected NPAs in Bukidnon

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 2): 3 soldiers killed by suspected NPAs in Bukidnon

Three troopers from the 8th Infantry Battalion, who went to Malaybalay City to get their subsistence allowance and other supplies were killed by still unidentified members of the New People's Army (NPA) Wednesday afternoon.

This was confirmed by 4th Infantry Division commander Major Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Thursday.

The troopers, whose bullet-riddled bodies were found by civilians at Sitio Kaleb, Brgy Kibalabag, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon about 3 p.m., were earlier reported missing.

These enlisted personnel are among the 8th Infantry Battalion troops deployed for "Bayanihan" team activities in Barangay Manalog, also in Malaybalay City.

Madrigal said it is very likely that it was the NPAs who killed these soldiers as a electrical wire, reportedly used to detonate improvised explosive device (IED), was found near the area.

The rebels were planning to detonate the IED should a military force suddenly appear in the road, triggering a bloody ambush.

However, no IED was recovered, as responding military units elected to go in quietly, probably surprising the rebels who then made their getaway.

Madrigal said that it is very likely the three were flagged down by the NPAs before being executed by M-16 automatic fire.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=960485