MALAYBALAY CITY [UPDATED, May 2, 2018]-- An unarmed soldier was killed while an officer was injured when suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) attacked them in Sitio Sto. Domingo, Barangay Lumintao, Quezon town in Bukidnon province on April 30.
1st Lt. Marisol Fulgosino, civil military operations officer of the Army’s 403rd Infantry Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, said Tuesday the NPA rebels attacked the victims at about 10 a.m.
Fulgosino identified the slain soldier as Pfc. Joehan Macalong. She, however, did not name the injured officer who has the rank of a lieutenant. A police report, however, identified the injured officer as 1Lt Kevin G. Abad.
Macalong died on the spot while Abad, who was hit on his right thigh, managed to escape from their assailants and asked help from the villagers in the area, police said.
Police said the victims were going to the town center of Quezonto withdraw money at a Palawan Pawnshop branch and were ambushed along the way.
Fulgosino said both victims were unarmed and were in civilian clothes when the attack occurred.
The remains of the slain soldier were brought to a funeral facility while the wounded officer was brought to the nearest treatment facility for proper medical attention.
Lt. Col. Randy Remonte, commanding officer of the 88th Infantry Battalion, said he was dismayed by the fate of the two soldiers. He assured that justice will be served against the perpetrators.
In a statement, Brig. Gen. Eric Vinoya, commander of the 403rd Infantry Brigade, denounced the NPA rebels for "their criminal acts of murdering a devoted soldier who only serves the residents of Bukidnon relentlessly to achieve a lasting peace."
He said the attack was a "clear manifestation that NPA rebels were anti-development and resistant to progress." (Mel B. Madera/PNA)
