Trooper dies, 3 more hurt in Kalinga town NPA ambush

By Freddie G. Lazaro

PINUKPUK, Kalinga – Government troops are now scouring mountains here in search of New People’s Army rebels who ambushed an army team here Feb. 28 in Barangay Limos wherein a trooper died while three others were wounded.

The soldiers, belonging to the Charlie Company of the army’s 50th Infantry Battalion or “Bayanihan Team,” were on their way to the barangay to conduct community service for peace and development when they were attacked by  suspected NPA rebels.

Captain Randy Santa Maria, public affairs officer of the army’s 5th Infantry Division based in Camp Merchor de La Cruz in Gsamu, Isabela said during the shooting incident, only one soldier was killed while three others were wounded.

He said the identities of the killed and wounded soldiers were  withheld pending notification of the members of their families.

“We are very much saddened to the fate of our soldiers, who were on their way to the far-flung barangays to extend community service to promote peace development but they were shot by the NPA rebels,” he said.

Santa Maria said the soldiers were likely taken by surprise and that the casualties were hit by bullets in the first volley of fire from the rebels.