EPCC NEWS

January 28, 2010

AFP Clashes with NPA , 16 killed or wounded

Los Angeles—EPCC NEWs today revealed that more than 11 soldiers were killed or wounded in clashes with the NPA all over the Philippines.

At least five Army soldiers were killed while four others were hurt in a clash with communist rebels in Bontoc, Mountain Province, the military here said Thursday.

Lieutenant Colonel Loreto Magundayao Jr., civil-military operations battalion chief and spokesman of the Army's 5th Infantry Division based here, said Privates First Class Velasco Mayao, Camilo Abad, Joey Corpuz and Joseph Casem, and Corporal Napoleon Ramirez were killed in the firefight with about 30 New People's Army rebels in Barangay (village) Mainit, Bontoc, at about 10 a.m. Wednesday.

Magundayao said their field reports indicated that the NPA suffered casualties but could not say how many were killed or wounded in the clash.

He said soldiers from the 54th Infantry Battalion were in Barangay Mainit to pursue a group of NPA rebels led by one Ka Dandan when the gunfight erupted.

Six soldiers were injured in a landmine explosion in North Cotabato, a military spokesman said Wednesday.

Meanwhile in Mindanao, n a text message, Army 602nd Brigade commander Colonel Alejandro Estomo said that his men were on board a KM450 when a landmine exploded in the vicinity of Old Bulatukan village, Makilala town, North Cotabato, just 150 meters from the headquarters, at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday.

The soldiers were on their way back to their camp after playing basketball in Mount Apo Alliance Bible Church, Estomo added.

He identified the wounded soldiers as Corporal Geruel Hipe, Private First Class (PFC.) Levie Faranal, PFC. Josel Miravalles, PFC. Ariel Tambagan and PFC. John Edward Tangub.

The wounded soldiers were immediately brought to Makilala Medical Specialist Hospital for medical treatment, Estomo said.

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