CAMARINES NORTE - A soldier and a member of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) were killed after they were attacked by suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA) in Barangay Daguit, Labo in Camarines Norte Saturday night.
The victims were identified as Private Reymark Regore and Anthony Aceron. They were part of a military patrol group watching over the construction of a bridge in the area.
Based on initial investigation, the military patrol group was attacked by more than 20 suspected NPA members. The firefight lasted for more than an hour.
For Col. Medel Aguilar, commander of the 49th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, what the suspected rebels did was an "overkill."
"Kahit nga down na sila, talagang lumaban sila. 'Yun nga lang nung ma-down na silay ay parang lumalabas na overkill, kasi kwan 'yung ulo. 'Yung talagang niratrat," Aguilar said.
The military also had difficulty sending reinforcements due to explosives planted by the rebels in the area. Recovered were improvised landmines, improvised Molotov bombs and grenades.
Clearing operations in the area lasted for six hours before it was opened to motorists.
Authorities said the rebels are trying to disrupt the construction of the bridge. The rebels also reportedly extorted money from the bridge's contractor.
According to Aguilar, they will further strengthen the security in the area. - Mylce Mella, ABS-CBN News Bicol