3 soldiers killed, 4 others wounded in Negros clash

From Panay News (Apr 20, 2020): 3 soldiers killed, 4 others wounded in Negros clash (By Mae Singuay)

Three soldiers were killed and four others were wounded in an encounter with suspected News People’s Army (NPA) rebels yesterday morning in Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental.

Colonel Inocencio Pasaporte, Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said troops of the 94th Infantry Battalion were closing in on the NPA terrorists, following reports of extortion activities in the said village, when an improvised explosive device detonated, inflicting immediate casualties among the soldiers, followed by a firefight.

“The soldiers are still pursuing the NPAs who were seen dragging their dead and wounded comrades,” said Pasaporte, adding the troops were deployed in the area to conduct security patrol during the distribution of the government’s social amelioration program.

A Lieutenant and a soldier died during the fierce firefight while another expired while being evacuated. Military choppers were sent to evacuate the wounded soldiers who are now recuperating in a hospital in this capital city. Their names were still withheld as of this writing.

“We express our deepest sympathy to the families of our hero-soldiers who died fighting for the peace in Negros Island,” said Pasaporte.

He added that the Army will heighten its operations to capture the NPA terrorists and stop them from sowing fear in the communities.

https://www.panaynews.net/3-soldiers-killed-4-others-wounded-in-negros-clash/