Negros Clash Kills 2 Army Soldiers

FORT BONIFACIO, Taguig City – Two soldiers were killed in an encounter with NPA rebels at the vicinity of Cadiz City, Negros Occidental at around 9 am yesterday(Jan 31), a military report said.

A report from the Army’s 3^rd Infantry Division said that a platoon of soldiers was conducting peace development operation in the area when they were engaged in a firefight by an unspecified number of NPA rebels.

Major Harold M Cabunoc, Army Spokesman, identified the two slain soldiers as Private First Class Nazario Benavides Jr and Private First Class Crispy Ryan Toledo, both belonging to the 62^nd Infantry Battalion of the 3^rd Infantry Division.

"The fallen soldiers are now brought to their main camp to be accorded respects by their fellow soldiers in the battalion. Their respective family members have been informed about the incident," said Cabunoc.

Cabunoc also said that another soldier was wounded as a result of the encounter.

The wounded soldier was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. The attending physicians have declared him out of danger.

Lieutenant General Emmanuel Bautista, the Army chief, expressed his condolences to the families of the slain soldiers and assured them of assistance by the Army.         

“Our soldiers have not died in vain because they have contributed in the implementation of our various development projects in that province. Their heroism will never be forgotten,” said Bautista.

Cabunoc said that the Philippine Army will continue to conduct peace and development operations in depressed areas around the country despite the NPA attacks.

“We will not be cowed by these attacks because our soldiers are aware that the root causes of  the insurgency problem can be addressed by helping the local government deliver public services in the countryside. We have reminded our soldiers to remain security-conscious and defend themselves at all times,” said Cabunoc.