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Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Soldiers, rebels clash in Compostela Valley
By Ben O. Tesiorna
DAVAO CITY -- Members of the Army's 3rd Special Forces Battalion figured in an encounter with the New People's Army (NPA) rebels in Montevista, Compostela Valley Tuesday morning.
Major Roylan Orquia, chief of the Army's 3rd Special Forces Battalion, said the clash occurred at the vicinity of sitio Aslum, Barangay Mayaon around 6 a.m.
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Orquia said his four-man team was on patrol when they encountered about seven rebels.
A brief firefight ensued after which the rebels withdrew westward while dragging their wounded comrades.
The soldiers scoured the area and recovered one M14, one magazine with 15 live ammos and several subversive documents.
Tuesday's encounter came a day after two soldiers of the said battalion were shot dead by suspected rebels while eating inside an eatery in Nabunturan around 8:30 a.m.
Eastern Mindanao Command spokesperson Major Armand Rico condemned the treacherous attack made by the rebels.
He said the soldiers were shot from behind while saying grace for the breakfast they are about to take.
Also on Tuesday morning, the NPA rebels burned another telecommunications tower.
Lieutenant Colonel Faustino, chief of the Army's 67th Infantry Battalion, said the incident happened around 5 a.m. in Barangay Banao in Baganga, Davao Oriental.
Reports said the tower is owned by Globe Telecoms.
The rebels allegedly mauled the tower guard after refusing to give them the key. They tried opening the cabin of the said tower but failed.
NPA rebels then poured gasoline into the generator set before leaving.
Only the generator set was damaged.
Faustino readily dispatched his men to the area to pursue the rebels. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Pangasinan. (July 2, 2008 issue)
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