Soldiers, NPA clash near polling precinct in Agusan

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – A government soldier was wounded in an encounter with communist fighters in Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte, on Friday morning, May 10, a military official said.

Lt. Joe Patrick Martinez, chief of the 42^nd civil military operations company, said elements of the 3^rd Special Forces Battalion were on a security patrol just two kilometers away from a polling precinct in Barangay San Isidro at around 8:45 a.m. when they encountered at least 20 members of the New People’s Army.

Martinez said the security patrol was a response to a report about the presence of communist guerillas in the area.

The lone casualty from the government side was immediately brought to the nearest hospital for medication.

The military said that state security forces in the area are pursuing the rebels involved in the encounter.

“I already sent troops to hunt down these fleeing rebels following the traces of bloods in their exit points. We cannot allow them to disrupt the people who will vote on Monday. We have to double our security in this area so that we can assure safe and fair national and local Election 2013,” said 3^rd Special Forces Battalion chief Ltc Ricardo Leonardo.

It is, however, unclear if the communist fighters were planning to disrupt the elections in the village. – Rappler.com