MEMBERS of the 94th Infantry Battalion were ambushed by suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA) while on their way to the burial of a Cafgu member in Barangay Banuage, Guihulngan City on Monday morning, January 14.
Two sections of the 94th IB led by Captain Joshua Lodrigito were onboard a six-by-six truck when they were ambushed around 8:30 a.m. Monday.
The group was reportedly headed to Sitio Caningag in Barangay Linantuyan to attend the burial of a member of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (Cafgu) who was killed by communist rebels last week.
Senior Superintendent Raul Tacaca, Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (Norppo) director, said the ambush occurred when the group was passing by Sitio Kapudlasan in Barangay Banuage.
A 20-minute firefight between the two groups ensued.
Tacaca said they are still trying to determine if there are casualties on the side of the military or the rebels.
Personnel from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion-Central Visayas and Guihulngan City were also deployed to assist the military, Tacaca added. (AYB of Superbalita Cebu)