TWO civilians and an Army soldier were killed while three others were wounded in an encounter between the government troops and suspected New People's Army (NPA) rebels in San Isidro, Santiago, Agusan del Norte, at 5 a.m. Saturday, February 11.
Captain Jo Patrick Martinez, 4th Infantry Division spokesperson, sauid the soldier died after around 10 suspected NPA rebels engaged an undisclosed number of troops for some 10 minutes.
Martinez identified the slain soldier as Sargeant Marlon Balaiz, who is now in Bancasi, Butuan City and the civilian fatalities were identified as Jeremy Beto and Pepito Tiambong.
Three other civilians were wounded namely Orly Huyo, Samuel Hayom, and Jeremy Mier. The military brought them to the hospital.
Martinez said the military is conducting pursuit operations against the rebels.