Two soldiers wounded
By Katherine Evangelista, Johana Vi E. Gasga
INQUIRER.net, Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 13:47:00 04/02/2009
Filed Under: Military, Armed conflict
MANILA, Philippines—(UPDATE) A band of communist rebels killed three soldiers and wounded two Scout Rangers in an ambush late Wednesday in Ragay, Camarines Sur, a police official said Thursday.
Chief Supt. Paterno Bangui, Bicol regional police director, identified those killed as Pfc. Noel Bagao, Pfc. Rolly Boy Caitor and Cpl. James Coronan and those wounded as Pfc. Domingo Solares and Pfc. Ricardo Nelson Salvador.
The two wounded soldiers were rushed to the nearest hospital in Ragay Town.
Bangui said the soldiers were onboard four motorcycles going to the Ragay public market to buy food and other supplies when they were ambushed in Barangay Upper Sta. Cruz, Ragay, Camarines Sur at around 4:30 p.m.
Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Sodusta, Army's 9th Infantry Division commander, said over the radio that one official, Cpl. Nolan Yatar, escaped from the ambush site and was able to return to their temporary patrol base in Haguimit village in Ragay.
Sodusta added that the six soldiers of the Charlie company were in civilian clothes and unarmed during the attack of about 50 rebels.
There were no reports of casualties on the NPA side.
Earlier, Major Chris Morales, 9th Infantry Division spokesman, said the victims left the 31st Infantry Brigade's temporary base in Haguimit village, Lupi, Camarines Sur to canvass for materials for humanitarian and livelihood projects for the area.
Citing the testimonies of the two wounded soldiers, Morales said that among the three soldiers that were killed, one died instantly while the other was shot from behind while trying to escape, while the third tried to surrender but was shot.
"The perpetrators [were] identified and [criminal charges] will be filed against them," Morales said but he did not identify the suspects but the military said they might be members of the New People's Army rebel group.
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