At least 11 soldiers killed by rebels in ambush in Philippines
At least 11 soldiers killed by rebels in ambush in Philippines
11:45, March 07, 2010 
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At least 11 soldiers were killed while seven others were injured in a three-hour clash between government troops and leftist rebels in a remote village in central Philippines, a military official said on Saturday.
Lt. Col. Noel Detoyato, spokesman of the Army's 2nd Infantry Division, said a platoon from the 23rd Division Reconnaissance Company were on a patrol at Panaytayan village at the outskirts of Mansalay town in Oriental Mindoro Province at around 05:30 a.m. local time when they caught up with about 60 leftist rebels from the New People's Army (NPA).
Quoting reports from the field, Detoyato said that the two sides clashed for at least three hours until the rebels withdrew. Only four of the soldiers who figured in the initial fighting survived unscathed, he said.
Among the 11 killed was a lieutenant, Detoyato said. Detoyato withheld the identity of the slain officer, pending the notification of his kin.
"The soldiers held their ground for three hours until government reinforcements arrived. This arrival of the reinforcements forced the rebels to withdraw with undetermined number of casualties,"he said.
Soldiers were "surprised" as they stumbled upon the encamped rebels, Detoyato said, adding"they entered into the rebel encampment. The two sides were surprised. The two sides exchanged fires a few meters apart."
"Although in the disadvantage (position) compared to the well- emplaced terrorist encampment, (the) 23rd DRC troops fought it out literally to the last bullet," he said.
According to Detoyato, the troops conducted the operations as part of their mission to provide area security in view of the coming elections.
"The operation is part of our area security in line with the incoming start of the campaign period for the local officials,"he said, adding"the security patrols and relocation of troops is being implemented to ensure freedom of movement of the candidates when the campaign starts."
Detoyato added that the operation was part the military effort to ensure that the candidates would be safe from harassment of the rebels who are demanding permit to campaign and permit to win fees from candidates. "This is also in line with our call for the candidates not to give in to PTC/PTW demands of the local NPA insurgents in Mindoro. The unfortunate incident this morning will all the more make us pour in more efforts for a credible honest election, Detoyato said.
The military sympathizes with the families of the fallen soldiers "who offered the supreme sacrifice in order to deliver our fellow Filipinos our mandate of protecting their votes," he added.
The NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has been waging a guerrilla campaign in the countryside for four decades. Philippine military estimates placed the NPA strength at more than 5,000 men scattered in more than 60 leftist rebels throughout the country.
Source: Xinhua
Lt. Col. Noel Detoyato, spokesman of the Army's 2nd Infantry Division, said a platoon from the 23rd Division Reconnaissance Company were on a patrol at Panaytayan village at the outskirts of Mansalay town in Oriental Mindoro Province at around 05:30 a.m. local time when they caught up with about 60 leftist rebels from the New People's Army (NPA).
Quoting reports from the field, Detoyato said that the two sides clashed for at least three hours until the rebels withdrew. Only four of the soldiers who figured in the initial fighting survived unscathed, he said.
Among the 11 killed was a lieutenant, Detoyato said. Detoyato withheld the identity of the slain officer, pending the notification of his kin.
"The soldiers held their ground for three hours until government reinforcements arrived. This arrival of the reinforcements forced the rebels to withdraw with undetermined number of casualties,"he said.
Soldiers were "surprised" as they stumbled upon the encamped rebels, Detoyato said, adding"they entered into the rebel encampment. The two sides were surprised. The two sides exchanged fires a few meters apart."
"Although in the disadvantage (position) compared to the well- emplaced terrorist encampment, (the) 23rd DRC troops fought it out literally to the last bullet," he said.
According to Detoyato, the troops conducted the operations as part of their mission to provide area security in view of the coming elections.
"The operation is part of our area security in line with the incoming start of the campaign period for the local officials,"he said, adding"the security patrols and relocation of troops is being implemented to ensure freedom of movement of the candidates when the campaign starts."
Detoyato added that the operation was part the military effort to ensure that the candidates would be safe from harassment of the rebels who are demanding permit to campaign and permit to win fees from candidates. "This is also in line with our call for the candidates not to give in to PTC/PTW demands of the local NPA insurgents in Mindoro. The unfortunate incident this morning will all the more make us pour in more efforts for a credible honest election, Detoyato said.
The military sympathizes with the families of the fallen soldiers "who offered the supreme sacrifice in order to deliver our fellow Filipinos our mandate of protecting their votes," he added.
The NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has been waging a guerrilla campaign in the countryside for four decades. Philippine military estimates placed the NPA strength at more than 5,000 men scattered in more than 60 leftist rebels throughout the country.
Source: Xinhua
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