TACLOBAN CITY- Nine government soldiers were wounded after they engaged in a firefight with alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in San Jorge, Samar on Saturday (Jan.12) morning.
Captain Francis Agno, spokesperson of the 8th Infantry Division based in Catbalogan City in Samar, said that the soldiers were ambushed by still undetermined number of NPA members in Brgy. Bay-ang, about 40 kms away from the town proper of San Jorge town, at about 6:50 am.
The soldiers, who all belong to the 63rd Infantry Battalion under Lt.Col. Rizaldo Laurena and based in Barangay Erenas of said town, were fired upon by the rebels who also used improvised devices during the incident which resulted for the government troops to sustain minor injuries.
The firefight between the two groups lasted for about 30 minutes.
The wounded soldiers were identified by Agno as Sgts. Francisco Datay, Erwin Rafon, and Roel Buquid; Corporals Jorgen Umbaña, Rey Martin Avila, Pastor Arguilles; Private First Class Jonas Sayde; and Privates Judith Romero, and Albert Lomentigar.
The soldiers, who sustained wounds at the different parts of their bodies, were brought to a hospital which Agno declined to identify for security reason.
Agno said that undetermined NPA members who were involved in the attack were reportedly killed. (JOEY A. GABIETA)