3 Soldiers Killed In NPA Ambush In Davao City

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / May 22, 2010) – Communist rebels ambushed Saturday a group of government soldiers, killing three infantrymen and wounding another in Davao City in the southern Philippines, officials said.

The attack occurred in the village of Barakatan in Toril District where New People’s Army opened fire on soldiers and government militias, said Captain Emmanuel Garcia, a spokesman for the 10th Infantry Division.

He said there were no reports of civilian casualties. “The ambush showed the treachery and utter disregard of the New People’s Army to human lives, particularly civilians, who might have been hit by bullets as there are houses a few hundred meters away from the soldiers,” Garcia said.

He said troops fought back and forcing the rebels to retreat. It was unknown whether there were casualties on the rebel side.

Garcia said rebel forces also killed 7 people and wounded at least a dozen other in separate attacks the past 6 months in Maragusan town in Compostela Valley and Boston town in Davao Oriental provinces.

There was no immediate statement from the rebel group about the attack, but it is still holding three soldiers and a government militia in Compostela Valley’s Mawab town.

The prisoners, Army Corporals Marcial Bawagan, Ariel Asumo, Eduardo Alcala and militiaman Victor Pitogo, were seized by rebels on May 12 while at a birthday party in the village of Sawangan.

The rebel group said the four prisoners are safe and well, but warned that an ongoing military rescue operation could endanger the lives of the hostages.

The New People’s Army is the military wing of the outlawed Communist Party of the Philippines which is waging a secessionist war for decades now. (Mindanao Examiner)