By Hader Glang
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (AA) – Communist rebels killed four soldiers, including a junior officer in two separate attacks in southern Mindanao in wake of a truce breakdown, according to the military.
The New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas, who terminated a unilateral cease-fire on Wednesday, also abducted two soldiers Thursday morning. The two were enlisted members of the 39th Infantry Battalion who were forcibly taken while heading back to their battalion camp in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat, according to military spokesman Col. Edgar Arevalo.
Capt. Rhyan Batchar demanded their immediate release and also urged the rebels to stop their atrocities.
Early Wednesday, the Maoist group killed a soldier and wounded another one in an attack in Manay town, Davao Oriental.
Arevalo confirmed a 2nd lieutenant officer was killed while a private first class soldier got wounded during the attack.
The NPA said in a statement three soldiers from the Army’s 8th Infantry Battalion were shot dead after they resisted when stopped in Kibalabag, Malaybalay City.
