Trooper killed, 3 others hurt in clashes in Bukidnon, Davao Oriental

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 24): Trooper killed, 3 others hurt in clashes in Bukidnon, Davao Oriental

A soldier was killed while three others were wounded following a series of encounters between the military and New People's Army (NPA) rebels in Bukidnon and Davao Oriental Thursday.

The first encounter occurred at about 9:15 a.m. when troops of the 60th Infantry Battalion and insurgents belonging to the NPA's Guerrilla Front 55 engaged in a 45-minute firefight in Barangay Cayaga, San Fernando, Bukidnon.

Capt. Rhyan Batchar, 10th Infantry Division public affairs office chief, said there was no casualty from the military in this clash, while an undetermined number of rebels were killed and wounded as they retreated.

The second and third encounters happened at about 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., when combined troops of the 67th and 66th Infantry Battalions clashed with NPA members of Pulang Bagani Company 8 in Sitio Maglahos, Barangay PM Sobrecary, Caraga, Davao Oriental.
The 9:30 a.m. encounter transpired when the soldiers chanced upon the rebels, triggering a five-minute gunfight in the locality.

Two hours later, insurgents triggered an improvised explosive device against reinforcing troops of the 67th Infantry Battalion, resulting in a 30-minute confrontation.

In this series of clashes Corporals Zhelmer Roquero and Hansen Dave Pajarillo, and Pfc. Rodulfo Bascon were wounded while Sgt. Leo Lugo was killed.

Batchar said the casualties were immediately airlifted to the Camp Panacan Station Hospital.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=974632