Suspected rebels kill soldier

A SOLDIER belonging to the 47th Infantry Battalion (IB) of the Philippine Army was shot and killed while he was buying food in the market at Sitio Cambogiot, Barangay Camindangan, Sipalay City on Tuesday.

303rd Infantry Brigade commander Col. Oscar Lactao identified the victim Private First Class (Pfc.) John Ilisan, 29, of 47th IB Bravo Company, a member of the Army’s Peace and Development Team (PDT).

Ilijan suffered gunshot wounds at different parts of his body and his nape.

Capt. Cris Cunanan, 303rd IB Civil Military Operations officer, said that Ilijan was with another soldier doing the marketing when four alleged members of the SPARU Unit of the New People's Army (NPA) shot them.

“Our deepest sympathy goes with the family and love ones of Pfc. Ilisan. What he fought for peace and development for Negros will surely continue,” Lactao said.

He said Ilisan was unarmed at that time and was there to help the farmers of Barangays Camindangan and Manlukahok, Sipalay City on their land ownership.

Lactao said the Bravo Company is still conducting hot pursuit operations against the suspects.

Cunanan said they condemn such act by the rebels, considering that the soldiers were doing peace and development work and were on a combat operation.

The rebel suspects reportedly mingled with the civilians after committing the crime. (Teresa D. Ellera and Merlinda A. Pedrosa)