Soldier killed in rebel attack in Albay

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur – Communist guerrillas skirmished with Army troops in Barangay Magogon, Camalig, Albay, Saturday, killing an Army corporal before retreating.

Based on a military report, at least five members of KSPN3, KP3 of Bicol Regional Party Committee (BRPC) fired at soldiers from Bravo Company, 2nd Infantry Battalion who were on peace and development mission in the barangay.

The troops fired back and the rebels pulled back after five minutes.

The corporal, identified as Felipe Delfino Jr. was wounded and died before reaching UST Hospital in Legazpi City.

Following the encounter, Major General Jesus A. Manangquil Jr., commander of the 9th Infantry Division, directed all units to be on alert against possible attacks by the rebels.

“This act is clearly out of their frustration to stop the peace and development in the area wherein they exploited and took advantage of the issues and concerns to lure the civilians to support their communist agenda,” Manangquil said. “They even attacked the government forces without considering the presence of civilians that might be caught in the crossfire.”

Despite the incident, he said his troops “will continue to pursue our peace and development efforts here. We will not be cowed and disrupted by the harassment being perpetrated by these terrorists.”