THREE soldiers were wounded in a gunbattle between the government troops and the communist rebels at Purok Kinawasan in Barangay San Isidro, Lupon town in Davao Oriental, on Saturday afternoon, May 26.

Police identified the wounded soldiers as Sergeant Benjie Ortizano, Private First Class (PFC) Warren Amora, and PFC Juniel Liasgo, all members of the Philippine Army’s (PA) 28th Infantry Battalion.

The Police Regional Office (PRO)-Davao reported that the encounter took place around 3:24 p.m. on Saturday at Kinawasan while the troops were conducting patrol.

A platoon of the 6SRC, 2nd SRB headed by one Amruding DH Abdul Jabbar encountered undetermined numbers of members of New People’s Army (NPA) during the military patrol operation in the area.

Regional Office (PRO) in Davao Region spokesperson Chief Inspector Milgrace Driz said their office has coordinated to the Army's 28th Infantry Battalion headquarters for more update on the encounter.

The wounded soldiers were already brought to Camp Panacan Station Hospital for medical treatment and observation.

Army's 28th Infantry Battalion public information officer Captain Victor Inting, meanwhile, said an unidentified communist rebel was found dead after the encounter in the area.

The soldiers were also able to recover improvised explosive devices, wires, blasting caps, refile grenades, 40 rounds of 5.56mm link, and other personal belongings.

Inting said the troops are now conducting pursuit operation against the communist rebels responsible of the incident.