Soldier, militiaman killed in separate attacks in Mindanao

MANILA -- A government soldier and a militiaman were killed in separate attacks by suspected New People's Army (NPA) rebels in Compostela Valley and Agusan del Sur, military said Friday.

Lieutenant Colonel Randolph Cabangbang, Army spokesman, said the soldier was killed as a result of injuries sustained by enemy action while manning a military patrol base in Compostela Valley.

An undetermined number of communist rebels simultaneously attacked Army patrol bases in Anitapan and Malamudao villages in Maco town around 6 a.m. Friday, Cabangbang said.

He said Army chief Lieutenant General Noel Coballes has given orders to troops to give proper attention to the remains of the slain soldier and to render proper assistance to his family.

In Veruela town in Agusan del Sur, the insurgents attacked a militia outpost in Sinubong village around 8 p.m. Wednesday, said 2nd Lieutenant Hazel Tabago, chief of the 41st Civil Military Operations company.

Tabago said the rebels, at least five of them, were promptly repulsed by troops manning the detachment but some of them went to the house of off-duty militiaman Ruel Alipon and they shot him dead.

"According to several eyewitnesses, two rebels armed with cal. 45 pistol each entered the house of Alipon and consequently fired their pistols towards him, hitting him in the chest that resulted to his instantaneous death," said Tanago. (VR/Sunnex)