SUMMARY
This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
BAGUIO CITY, Philippines (UPDATED) – Two soldiers have died while 5 others are in critical condition following an ambush by suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Sagada, Mountain Province, on Sunday night, November 30.
Private First Class Moses Tingtingga of the Philippine Army’s 54th Infantry Battalion was killed when suspected NPA members attacked a military convoy in Tetep-an village, the Mountain Province Provincial Police Office said in an initial report.
Private First Class Hansel Onon died from his injuries Tuesday morning, as five others remain in critical condition at Bontoc General Hospital.
Senior Superintendent Oliver Enmodias, provincial police chief, said the soldiers were on their way home after attending a Youth Leadership Summit at the Sagada National High School when they were attacked.
Five soldiers, who have been brought to the Bontoc General Hospital, remain in critical condition. They are:
- Corporal William Agpawan
- Corporal Albert Faliyan
- Private First Class Ian Mango
- Private First Class Jimmy Appao
- Private First Class Nathan Focasan
The remains of Tingtingga had been brought to his home in Can-eo village in Bontoc.
Peace zone?
In 1989, Sagada – a popular tourist destination 275 kilometers north of Manila – was declared a peace zone or an area that armed groups have pledged to respect as off-limits to combat.
However, several encounters between the military and members of the CPP-NPA in recent years have affected the peaceful status of the town.
On August 30, 2013, the military conducted air strikes to capture an NPA camp near the village of village Aguid in Sagada.
On June 28, 2013, communist rebels attacked 95 police officers undertaking special counterinsurgency training in Sitio Am-o in Tadian town near Sagada, killing one of them. – Rappler.com
Add a comment
How does this make you feel?
There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.