A SOLDIER of the Philippine Army's 47th Infantry Battalion was wounded when government troopers encountered suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA) in Sitio Pating, Barangay Magballo, Kabankalan City over the weekend.
Corporal Jovel Seneres, who sustained a gunshot on his right leg, is confined in a hospital in Bacolod City, a report of the 3rd Infantry Division said.
Colonel Jon Aying, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, said two armed encounters happened between the soldiers and the rebels in the area.
The first encounter happened at 9:30 a.m. Saturday between a platoon of soldiers under the 47th IB against about 20 suspected NPA members.
Fifteen minutes later, another encounter took place and the gunfire lasted for about 20 minutes.
The encounter erupted despite the communist rebels' declaration of a 10-day ceasefire in the light of the devastation in the Visayas brought by Typhoon Yolanda.
Major Ray Tiongson, public affairs officer of the 3rd ID, said soldiers recovered from the encounter site a caliber .45 pistol with live ammunition and backpacks containing subversive documents.
"The troops received reports about the presence of several armed men in the area. While on their way there, they encountered about 20 rebels," he said. (TDE)