Soldier killed in leftist rebels’ attack in Southern Philippines

DAVAO CITY, MINDANAO

A SOLDIER was killed following an attack launched by suspected members of the leftist rebel group New People’s Army (NPA) in sou-thern Philippines on Thursday, a military official said yesterday.

Capt Christian Uy, spokesman of the Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division, identified the fatality as Private First Class Akmad Maruhom. Maruhom died of gunshot wounds after a 20-mi-nute firefight between the NPAs and the soldiers.

Uy said around 10 NPA guerrillas fired at soldiers doing community work in Calabucao village, Impasug-ong town in the southern Philippine province of Bukidnon on Thursday, during the celebration of the 45th anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), the umbrella organisation of the NPA.

Xinhua