Two soldiers and two civilians were wounded when an undetermined number of suspected communist rebels fired upon government troops who were conducting a community outreach program in Barcelona, Sorsogon, the military reported on Monday.
Captain John Paul Belleza, spokesperson of the 9th Infantry Division (9ID) based in Pili, Camarines Sur, said the suspects opened fire at the temporary patrol base of Community Support Program (CSP) team of the 31st Infantry Battalion (31IB) in Barangay Santa Lourdes while they were on a mission. The incident occurred around 8 p.m. last Saturday.
The troops were forced to return fire, prompting the suspects to flee, Belleza said. The firefight lasted for three minutes.
Among the casualties were 18-year-old Giselle Emberga and a 12-year-old girl who were hit by shrapnel after the suspects fired a grenade launcher.
Belleza said the wounded civilians were rushed to the hospital by the CSP team for immediate treatment.
The identities of the wounded soldiers were withheld by the military, but Belleza assured they were being treated.
Lieutenant Colonel Eric Culvera, battalion commander of the 31st Infantry Battalion (31 IB), said the “dastard act of terror placed the community in peril and danger” and “disturbed the resident’s tranquility by attacking at wee hours.”
