TWO government security forces, engaged in peace and development missions in Agusan del Sur, were slain by suspected communist rebels in La Paz town, Friday morning.
The soldiers, both unarmed and on civilian clothes, were on their way to get their subsistence allowance when they were waylaid by the rebels, 1st Lieutenant Krisnen Peter Sarsagat, 26th Infantry Battalion civil military operations officer, said.
They were aboard a motorcycle around 8:20 a.m. when at least five suspected rebels attacked them at San Patricio village.
"The two Army personnel were part of the Peace and Development Team (PDT) who are conducting Bayanihan activities or Community Organizing for Peace and Development in the said area," said Sarsagat.
Sarsagat declined to name the slain soldiers.
Lieutenant Colonel Rolando Dumawa, 26th IB commander, said he has deployed troops to go after the perpetrators.
"These were my men, they never meant any harm in that place and they are in non-combat posture when they were killed," said Dumawa.
"We will not stop pursuing these criminals until justice is served to the perpetrators of this dastardly act," Dumawa added.
Dumawa said the incident will not hamper peace and development projects in the area. (VR/Sunnex)