NPA ambush Eastern Samar: 6 soldiers dead, 20 others injured

Six soldiers and a member of the New People’s Army (NPA) have been confirmed dead while 20 others have been wounded in the military in an ambush in Eastern Samar, Monday afternoon.

The NPA rebels blasted a landmine and fired bullets at the military forces’ convoy in Brgy. Pinana­g-an, Borongan City, Eastern Samar, Monday, November 11.

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The NPA ambush victims were identified as Captain Limar Bagnug, Sgt. Rex Jadulco, Corporal Ronaldo Go, Pfc. Kent Loyd Agullo, Pfc. Junmar Buranday and Pvt. Charlie del Rosario.

However, authorities are still investigating the identity of the killed rebel during the encounter.

The wounded soldiers were being treated at the hospital and were identified as Sgt. Kenneth John Arcina, Sgt. Cyril Baja, Sgt. Rando Soria, Pfc. Albert Abegonia, Pfc. Dranreb Gealon, Pfc. Riel Bilason, Pfc. Gilbert Renegado, Pfc. Rex Batis Jr., Pvt. Roger Ditche, Pfc. Jerwin Omrob, Pvt. Darwin Aborquez, Private Joshua Pacuan, and Pfc. Denmark Gonsaza. All of them belonged to Charlie Company of the 14th Infantry Battalion (IB) of the Philippine Army.

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The other victims were Sgt. Marlon Orsal, Cpl. Dominador Antonio Jr., Cpl. Aljon Aguillos, Cpl. Linilito Donayre, Pfc. Mark Geric de Leon, Pfc. Rene Abuda and Private Jayson Beros which were from Alpha Company of the 14th IB.

NPA ambush in Eastern Samar

Captain Reynaldo Aragones Jr., the spokesman for the 8th Infantry Division (ID), said it was passed 5 pm when around 50 armed NPA rebels ambushed three platoons of soldiers while they were crossing Sitio Bangon, Brgy. Pinana-an, Borongan City, Eastern Samar.

According to Aragones, the rebels blasted six landmines before firing bullets to the military troops.

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Despite the surprise attack, the soldiers retaliated and exchanged fires with the NPA. The rebels fled and abandoned their member who got killed in the encounter.

The military conducted a casualty evacuation at the ambush site and rushed the wounded to the hospital. The military vehicle was damaged in the explosion.