SIX soldiers were killed and six others were injured in an encounter with the New People’s Army (NPA) in Calbiga, Samar, Tuesday, April 23.

The Philippine Army identified the slain troopers as Corporal Junerembran Mamalo, Private First Class Danilo Constantino, Private First Class Arthur Garcia, Private First Class Rufino Paster, Private Elbin Lagrimas, and Corporal Edgar Abing.

Injured were Sergeant Gilbert Benito, Corporal Raymark Vigilla, Private Rex Espanol, Private First Class Darwin Magoncia, Private First Class Mark Kevin Frigullana, and Private First Class Joseph Salonga.

The wounded were airlifted to the Eastern Visayas Medical Center in Tacloban City for immediate medical attention.

In an initial report, the soldiers from 46th Infantry Battalion were in hot pursuit operations against the communist terrorists in the hinterlands of Calbiga.

The "red fighters" were from the Arnulfo Ortiz Command, the NPA claimed.