Killing Of A Soldier In Sagada Publicly Denounced By Sagada Townsfolk

Students, residents, and government officials of the town of Sagada in Mt. Province held a condemnation rally today (December 1) to denounce the ambush that happened the night before.

Between 10:30 and 11:00 PM in the evening of November 30, suspected members of the New People's Army ambushed two trucks carrying government soldiers in sitio Pegew, barangay Tetep-an in said town. A soldier was killed in the attack. Six other soldiers were wounded and were brought to a hospital in the nearby town of Bontoc.

In the condemnation rally which was held in front of the Sagada Town Hall, students and residents carrying placards and banners called for peace and unity in the town. They denounced the ambush perpetrated by suspected rebels on military personnel who were on their way home after conducting a Youth Leadership Training at the Sagada National High School.

Below are photos from the rally:

Photo courtesy of Gayamen Brett.

Photo courtesy of Gayamen Brett.

Photo courtesy of Gayamen Brett.

Photo courtesy of Gayamen Brett.

Photo courtesy of Gayamen Brett.

Post by Triple J's Sagada.

Post by Gayamen Brett.

Related story: Two Former Rebels in Kalinga Were Given 45,000 and 20,000 Pesos Each by the Government After Surrendering

Government Soldiers Clash With Suspected NPA Rebels In Asipulo, Ifugao

A firefight between government soldiers and suspected New People's Army rebels erupted this morning in Asipulo, a town in Ifugao. According to a Bombo Radyo Baguio report, members of the 54th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army were conducting community development projects in the town when they encountered the rebels.

As of this writing, three soldiers were reported to have been wounded while one died. However, according to Brigadier General Roger Salvador, commander of the Philippine Army's 501st Brigade, the fatality is yet to be confirmed whether it's true or a false. The encounter between the two forces occurred between six and eight in the morning of October 14 (Tuesday).

This new encounter between government soldiers and rebels in Asipulo follows at least two other clashes that happened during the last few weeks in the Cordillera region.

It can be recalled that firefights between the two forces have been erupting in the province of Abra last September. During these clashes, at least 10 people were killed most of whom were from the rebel side. Also, in the first week of October, four NPA rebels died when they were engaged by government forces in the province of Apayao. Said rebels were reportedly trying to extort money from a town in the province.

File photo of New People's Army members during a program in Samar. (Photo from philippinerevolution.net)