Gov’t troops, NPA clash in Kalinga; soldier hurt

PASIL, Kalinga -- A soldier was airlifted to a hospital after he was hurt in fresh clashes with communist rebels in this remote town Tuesday noon.

Sgt. Joselito Felipe, who was leading a 24-member contingent conducting combat operations, was wounded in the initial clash.

The soldiers chanced upon an undetermined number of New People’s Army guerillas in Barangay Balatoc, Pasil town resulting in a firefight that was still ongoing as of 4PM Tuesday, said 2Lt. Jeric Gonzales, Civil Military Operations chief of the 50th Infantry Battalion based in Kalinga.

“We are still verifying how many of the rebels were also wounded or dead,” added 2Lt. Gonzales.

A squad of soldiers led by 1Lt. Rey Caumban stationed also in Pasil town, was dispatched to reinforce Felipe and his troops. Another team led by Ssgt. Adrian Kanoy has also been deployed from Lubuagan town.

Members of the 50th IB also clashed with guerrillas in remote Pinukpuk town, also in Kalinga.

The NPA and Communist Party of the Philippines have resumed peace talks with the government through the National Democratic Front of the Philippines but formal negotiations have bogged down.