3 soldiers killed, 2 wounded in raging battle with rebels

By MIKE U. CRISMUNDO

from: http://www.mb.com.ph/

Three soldiers were killed, while two others were wounded when a gunbattle erupted between government troops and New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Sitio Mandaguit, Barangay San Vicente, Bislig City the other, police said yesterday. Reports reaching the operation center of Northeastern Mindanao Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13) at Camp Rafael C. Rodriguez in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte said elements of "Charlie Company" of 36th Infantry Battalion conducted hot pursuit operations against some 60 NPA rebels who attacked the Tandawan Philippine Army-Citizens Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) detachment in Barangay Loyola, Hinatuan town.

The rebels ambushed Army men on their way back to their headquarters at about 5:30 a.m. last Saturday. Sketchy reports said soldiers were negotiating a curved portion of Mandaguit when waylaid by heavily armed NPA rebels who positioned on both sides of the road. Senior Inspector Nelly Tabornal Villagarcia, PRO 13 spokeswoman, said three soldiers were killed in the initial volley of fires, while two other soldiers were wounded in the ensuing battle. The wounded soldiers were immediately evacuated to Bislig City Hospital for medical treatment. The identities of the slain and wounded soldiers were not immediately available.

The Army truck used by the soldiers were badly damaged machine gun fires. Senior Inspector Villagarcia said Chief Supt. Rene J. Elumbaring, PRO 13 regional director and Joint Task Force Caraga commander, respectively, ordered the deployment of Bislig City and Surigao del Sur provincial police forces and PRO 13 regional mobile to reinforce the 36th IB soldiers still battling the NPA in Mandaguit. The 36th IB currently conducted three column approach to cordon the rebels reportedly members of the CPP-NPA Front Committee 14 of Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) under Nilo Camino alias "Commander Wako or Bong."

As this developed, gunfighting raged towards the provincial boundary of Hinatuan and Bislig. No casualty was reported yet on the NPA side. "Fire fight is still ongoing in the area," Senior Inspector Villagarcia said.